334 The Bird 



at a decreasing angle for fifty or sixty yards, then gradu- 

 ally nears the earth, till, when it has got to a distance of 

 two or three hundred yards, the violent action of the wing 

 ceases, and the bird glides along close to the earth for 

 some distance, and either drops down or renews its flight. 

 I suppose many birds fly in much the same way; only 



FIG. 266. South American Tinamou. 



this tinamou starts forward with such amazing energy 

 that, until this is expended and the moment of gliding 

 comes, the flight is just as ungovernable to the bird as 

 the motion of a brakeless engine, rushing along at full 

 speed, would be to the driver. The bird knows the danger 

 to which this peculiar character of its flight exposes it 



