THE DUCK. 
31 
tliey can wade in the water, for their legs are 
very long. 
4. ''Birds that Hve on the land do not have 
webbed feet; their toes are made for scratching, 
perching, or climbing. 
5. The hen cannot swim, but she can scratch 
in the ground for food^ and I cannot. I do not 
Ducks diving for Food. 
walk well^ either; I only waddle. But I can fly. 
So you see that I can live on land, or up in the 
air, or on the water. 
6. ''Ah! there is a snail on the mud. See me * 
dive for it. Down I go ! 
"Here I am again! I often dive so for my 
food. Sometimes I eat the tender plants that 
grow in the water. 
7. " Look at my broad bill. It is just the right 
shape for getting my food out of the soft mud. 
I fill it full of mud and water, that I may 
