3GG 



NATURAL HISTORY 



Family II. ... Colymbidre. (Gr. Kuhvpfiog, a Diver.) 

 Sub-family b . Podiccpincc. 



FODICEPS. 



Cristatus (Lat. crested], the Crested Grebe, 



contain a mass of their own feathers. This circumstance pre- 

 sents a singular analogy to those masses of compacted hair which 

 are often found in the stomachs of cows. In all probability 

 the reason for their presence is the same, that the feathers and 

 hairs are accidentally conveyed to the stomach after the crea- 

 ture has been making its toilet. 



The CRESTED GREBE is found in some of the fens of the 

 Midland counties of England, and also inhabits parts of Scot- 

 land. This bird, together with the other Grebes, builds its nest 

 of a mass of roots and reeds, among sedges. The female, like 

 the water hen, covers up her eggs when she leaves her nest, 

 which, unlike the nests of most of the aquatic birds, floats on 

 the water. 



