PREFACE* 
It is either even at the end, as in mod; birds, or forked, as in 
Swallows, &c. or cuneated, as in Magpies, &c. or rounded, as 
in the Purple Jackdaw' of Catejby. The Grebe is deftitute of a 
tail, the rump being covered with down ; and that of the Casso- 
wary with the feathers of the back. 
Immediately over the tail, are certain feathers that fpring from 
the lower part of the back, and are called the coverts of the tail 
( uropygium.) 
Thighs. (Femora) are covered entirely with feathers in all land-birds, 
except the Bustards and the Ostriches ; the lower part of thofe 
of all waders, or cloven-footed water-fowl, are naked ; that of all 
webbed-footed fowl the fame, but in a lefs degree ; in rapacious 
birds, are very mufcular. 
Legs. (Crura) Thofe of rapacious fowls very ftrong, furnifhed with 
large tendons, and fitted for tearing, and a firm gripe. The legs 
of fome of this genus are covered with feathers down to the 
toes, fuch as the Golden Eagle , others to the very nails 5 but 
thofe of rnoft other birds are covered with fcales, or with a fkin 
divided into fegments, or continuous. In fome of the Pies, and 
m all the Passerine tribe, the Ikin is thin and membranous ■, in 
thofe of web-footed water-fowl, ftrong. 
The legs of moft birds are placed near the center of gravity t 
In land-birds, or in Waders that want the back toe, exadtly fo ; 
for they want that appendage to keep them eredt. Auks, Grebes, 
Divers, and Pinguins, have their legs placed quite behind, fo 
are neceflitated to fit ere£t : Their pace is aukward and difficult, 
walking like men in fetters •, hence Linnaus ftyles their feet 
pedes compedes. 
9 
The 
