Class II. GREAT CRESTED GREBE. 499 



fiuRivaga domus, as Statins exprelTes it, may in 

 fome meafure be vindicated. 



Fluttivagam fie fsepe domum, madidofque penates 

 Halcyone deferta gemit ; cum pignora faevus 

 Aufler, et algentes rapuit Thetis invida nidos. 



Thebaid, lib. IX. 360. 



It is a careful nurfe of its young, being obferved 

 to feed them moll: affiduouQy, commonly with 

 fmall ells •, and when the infant brood are tired, 

 will carry them either on its back or under its 

 wings. This bird preys on fifh, and is almoft per- 

 petually diving : k does not mew much more than 

 the head above water, and is very difficult to be 

 (hot, as it darts down on the appearance of the left 

 danger. It is never feen on land; and though 

 difturbed ever fo often, will not fly farther than 

 the end of the lake. Its (kin is out of feafon about 

 February -, loiing then its bright color : and in the 

 breeding time its bread is almoft bare. The flelh 

 of this bird is exceffively rank : but the fat is of 

 great virtue in rheumatic pains, cramps and paraly- 

 tic contractions. 



Vol. II. L 1 E"«* 



