OF SELBORNE. 
83 
stroke, as to be full as narrow as the sliank. Tlie two ex- 
terior toes of the feet are longest ; the nails flat and broad 
resembling the human, wdiich give strength and increase the 
power of swimming. The foot, when expanded, is not at right 
angles to the leg or body of the bird ; but the exterior part 
inclining towards the head forms an acute angle with the body ; 
the intention being not to give motion in the line of the legs 
themselves, but by the combined impulse of both in an inter- 
mediate line — the line of the body. 
Most people know, that have observed at all, that the swim- 
ming of birds is nothing more than a w^alking in the water, 
where one foot succeeds the other as on the land ; yet no one, as 
far as I am aware, has remarked that diving fowls, while under 
water, impel and row themselves forward by a motion of their 
wings, as w^ell as by the impulse of their feet : but such is really 
the case, as any person may easily be convinced, who will observe 
ducks when hunted by dogs in a clear pond. ISTor do I know 
that anyone has given a reason why the wings of diving fowls 
are placed so forward : doubtless, not for the purpose of promot- 
ing 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 ; yet, were the Avings and 
feet nearer together, as in land-birds, they would, when in action, 
rather hinder than assist one another. 
This colymbus was of considerable bulk, weighing only three 
drachms short of three pounds avoirdupois. It measured in 
length from the bill to the tail (which was very short) two feet, 
and to the extremities of the toes four inches more; and the 
breadth of the wings expanded was forty-two inches. A person 
attempted to eat the body, but found it very strong and rancid, 
as is the flesh of all birds living on fish. Divers or loons, though 
bred in the most northerly parts of Europe, yet are seen with 
us in very severe winters ; and on the Thames are called sprat 
loons, because they prey much on that sort of fish. 
The legs of the colyiiihi and mcrgi are placed so very backward 
and so out of all centre of gravity, that these birds cannot walk 
at all. They are called by Linnaeus compedes, because they move 
on the ground as if shackled or fettered. 
G 2 
