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TEXTBOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



Crypturiformes (Tinamous). — This is a group of little known 

 quaillike birds of northern South America, Central America and 

 southern Mexico. 



Sphenisciformes (Penguins). — These are flightless, diving birds. 

 The feathers are almost scalelike, and the wings are modified as 

 "flippers" to be used under water. They dive for fish which can be 

 swallowed under water. They live on barren rocky shores of the 

 Antarctic. Here they nest in colonies, each female laying one or two 

 eggs in depressions among the rocks. 



Fig. 308. — Penguins. The wings and feet are highly adapted to swimming. (Prom 

 Hegner, College Zoology, published by The Macmillan Company.) 



Gaviiformes (Loons). — Our common loon is checked with black and 

 white over the back. These birds are also expert divers and swim- 

 mers under water. They have a very peculiar call that sounds like a 

 weird or crazy laugh. Their nesting range is between northern 

 United States and the Arctic circle. The wintering ground is prin- 

 cipally the Gulf Coastal States. 



Colymh (formes (Grebes). — This is a group of small or medium- 

 sized diving birds with lobed feet. The most common one is the pied- 

 billed gTebe or hell-diver. The legs are far posterior on the body. 

 There are about twenty-five species generally distributed over the 

 world. 



