This is a vintage patent drawing of a flying machine designed by R.J. Spalding, patented on March 5, 1880. The drawing depicts a side view of a person strapped into a complex mechanical apparatus designed to mimic bird flight. The person is shown in profile, wearing a cap and what appears to be a jacket. They are positioned horizontally, as if lying down and flapping wings. The core of the machine is a central frame (labeled 'A') that supports the person. Attached to this frame are two large, bird-like wings (labeled 'B' and 'D'). These wings are composed of numerous feathers or vanes, meticulously drawn to show their structure. The wings are connected to the frame via a series of rods, levers, and joints. The person's arms and legs are connected to these mechanisms, suggesting that the machine is intended to be operated by the user's movements. There are numerous labels (e.g., 'a', 'a²', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e', 'f', 'g', 'h', 'i', 'j', 'v', 'x', 'y', 'z') pointing to various parts of the machine, indicating its intricate design. The drawing is done in a detailed, technical style, typical of patent illustrations. It features fine lines and shading to convey the form and structure of the machine. The background is plain, emphasizing the technical nature of the drawing. The overall impression is one of a fascinating, if somewhat impractical, attempt to achieve human flight.