250 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Description. 



legs themselves, but, by the combined impulse 

 of both, in an intermediate line, the line of the 

 body. 



Most people who have exercised any degree 

 of observation, know that the swimming of birds 

 is nothing more than a walking in the water, 

 where one foot succeeds the other as on the 

 land; tf but no one, as far as I am aware," says 

 the Rev. Mr. White, "has remarked that diving- 

 fowls, while under water, impel and row them- 

 selves forward by a motion of their wings, as 

 well as by the impulse of their feet : yet such 

 is really the case, as any one may easily be con- 

 vinced who will observe ducks when hunted by 

 dogs in a clear pond. Nor do I know that any 

 one has given a reason why the wings of diving- 

 fowls are placed so forward : doubtless, not for 

 the purpose of promoting their speed in flying, 

 since that position certainly impedes it; but 

 probably for the increase of their motion under 

 water, by the use of four oars instead of two; 

 and were the wings and feet nearer together, a* 

 in land-birds, they would when in action, rather 

 hinder than assist one another." 



THE SPECKLED DIFER. 



THIS is not quite so large as the preceding; 

 it has a straight sharp bill, of a sort of livid or 

 black colour, with feathers growing down as low 



