DIVERS. 511 



sides of rivers and creeks, feeding on small fish, as well as 

 on insects, but above all on flies which it seizes with great 

 address by the strokes of its sharp bill, scarcely ever failing 

 in the attempt. It is often domesticated by the inhabitants, 

 displaying a great deal of action, and keeping the head and 

 body in continual motion. From the frequent circumstance 

 of expanding its tail and wings at the same time, it has 

 been conceived to resemble the sun, and has in conse- 

 quence, on this slender ground, acquired the name of the 

 Sun Bird. 



The length of this species is about 13 inches. The bill an inch 

 and an eighth long. The irids red. Crown of the head black, the 

 feathers lengthened into a small crest. The head itself is small ; 

 and the neck slender and long in proportion to the body. Cheeks 

 bright bay. From the corner of each eye is a line of white The 

 sides and hind part of the neck longitudinally marked with lines of 

 black and white. Wings, back and tail, dusky-brown ; the first 

 pretty large, extending to within an inch of the tail when closed. 

 Tail wedge-shaped, tipped with white ; its upper coverts remarka- 

 bly long. Breast and belly white. Legs short, and rather stout, 

 pale dusky ; the toes barred with black. 



DIVERS. (CoLYMBUs, Linn.) 



In these birds the bill is longer than the head, stout, straight, 

 nearly cylindric, compressed, with the point subulate and acute ; 

 the edges bent in, sharp and entire ; upper mandible somewhat 

 rounded above, slightly curved at the point; the lower navicular 

 and straight. Nostrils basal, lateral, concave, oblong, pervious, 

 half covered by a membrane. Tongue lanceolate, fringed backwards 

 at the base. Lores feathered. Feet large, placed far back; the 

 tibia almost entirely drawn up into the belly : tarsus exceedingly 

 compressed ; anterior toes long, wholly palmated : hind toe small, 

 touching the ground merely at tip, connected to the outer by a very 

 smUll rudimental membrane. J{ails short, compressed, hind one 



