On land ducks are a comical, awkward sight. Their hind limbs have been modified for swimming. The feet and legs of swimming Anseriforms are strongly muscled, and have lengthened second, third, and fourth toes. These toes support a web of skin for paddling. This pattern of webbing is termed the palmate foot type. First toe has no webbing, and makes little or no contribution to the paddle. However, in some diving ducks, the first digit, sports a fleshy lobe that provides an extra swimming…