tHE NORTHERN DRIVER. 249 



Description. 



Under the chin is a patch of white, marked with 

 several parallel lines of black ; and on each side 

 of the neck, and on the breast, is also a large 

 portion of white marked in a similar manner. 

 The upper parts are black, marked with white 

 spots ; and the under parts are white. The wings' 

 are short : and the quills, tail, and legs are black. 

 The female is less than the male. It inhabits 

 chiefly the northern seas, and is common on 

 some of the coasts of Scotland. 



Every part and proportion of this bird is most 

 admirably adapted to its mode of life. The head 

 is sharp; and smaller than the part of the neck 

 adjoining, in order that it may pierce the water: 

 the wings are placed forward, and out of the 

 centre of gravity, for a purpose which will be 

 noticed hereafter: the thighs quite at the podex, 

 in order to facilitate diving: and the legs are 

 flat, and as sharp backwards almost as the edge 

 of a knife, that, in striking, they may easily cut 

 the w ater ; while the feet are broad for swim- 

 ming, yet so folded up, when advanced forward 

 to take a fresh stroke, as to be full as narrow as 

 the shank. The two exterior toes of the feet are 

 longest: and the nails are flat and broad, resem- 

 bling the human ; which give strength, and in- 

 crease the power of swimming. The" foot, when 

 expanded, is not at right angles with the leg; 

 but the exterior part, inclining towards the head, 

 forms an acute angle with the body, the inten- 

 tion being, not to give motion in the line of the 



VOL. iv. NO. 28. C i 



