238 NATUPvAL HISTORY 
their leifure time in ftriking and cuffing each other on the wing in 
a kind of playful flcirmifh ; and, when they move from one place 
to another, frequently turn on their backs with a loud croak, and 
feem to be falling to the ground. When this odd gefture betides 
them, they are fcratching themfelves with one foot, and thus 
lofe the center of gravity. Rooks fometimes dive and tumble in 
a frolickfome manner ; crozvs and dazvs fwagger in their walk ; 
ivood-peckcn fly volitu undofo, opening and clofmg their wings at 
every ftroke, and fo are always rifing or falling in curves. All 
of this genus ufe their tails, which incline dovmward, as a fupport 
while they run \ip trees. Parrots^ like all other hooked-clawed 
birds, walk aukwardly, and make ufe of their bill as a third foot, 
climbing and defcending with ridiculous caution. All the gallina 
parade and walk gracefully, and run nimbly; but fly with dif- 
ficulty, with an impetuous whirring, and in a ftraight line. Afcig- 
pes andjirj'^ flutter with powerlefs wings, and make no difpatch ; 
herons feem incumbered with too much fail for their light bodies ; 
but thefe vafb hollow wings are neceffary in carrying burdens, fuch 
as large filhcs, and the like ; pigeons, and particularly the fort 
called fm'itcrs, have a way of clafliing their wings the one againft 
the other over their backs with a loud fnap ; another variety called 
tumblers turn themfelves over in the air. Some birds have move- 
ments peculiar to the feafon of love : thus ring-doves, though flrong 
and rapid at other times, )'et in the fpring hang about on the wing 
in a toying and playful manner ; thus the cock-fnlpe, while breed- 
ing, forgetting his form.er flight, fans the air like the wind-hover ; 
and the grccn-finch in particular exhibits fuch languifhing and 
faultering geftures as to appear like a wounded and dying bird ; 
the king-fijler darts along like an arrow; fern-owls, ox goat -fucker 
glance in the dufk over the tops of trees like a meteor ; flarlings 
as 
