9 THE NATURAL HISTORY 
jut read, Thofe which were intended to live 
in the water, Have a number of feathers that crow 
clofe together ; and their bodies are covered with 
a warm down, which preferves them from. the 
fevere cold. - Their feathers too are gloffed over 
with an oil, that prevents the wet from penetrat- 
ing (that is, coming-through) them. — 
That good Being has furnifhed them with’ a | 
‘Tittle bag of oil, which grows near their tail: all . 
- Birds indeed have this bag ; but it is much larger 
cin water-fowls, becaufe they have more occa- 
-fion for it, When their feathers get rough, they 
- fqueeze this oil.bag with their bill ; then they draw 
the bill over their feathers, which makes them 
: {mooth and olofly, and prevents the water from 
wetting them, 
We obferve too that they have all webbed dee: 
they ule thefe like oars, in the water, to puth 
themfelves forwards ; as they fpread them very — 
wide, and ftrike them againft the water, they can - 
move on very fait ; and when they draw them up — 
to their bodies, then they bring their toes clofe 
- together, fo as not to ftop their motion. | . 
The Swans neck is very long, becaufe he lives 
upon filh, and upon weeds which grow under: 
water. 3 | 2 
: ‘ey Thal 

