rilK GREBES. 



589 



common fliut-lock, an<l tlu'v will tlu-u nuiko a stretch of two hundred yards before coming 

 up to breathe, which is done by merely raising the head for a second above the water. 



The title given to this genus of birds refers to the lobated form of their toes, which 

 differ from tho.so of every other race of aquatic birds. Instead of being webbed, as in the 

 duck tribe and others of the Natdtovex, they are completely separate and flattened, 

 having their edges furnished with a broad stiff membrane, each toe being, in fact, a 

 distinct and beautifully-formed i:)addle. Of the three anterior toes, the outermost is the 

 longest and largest ; the next is nearly as large, and its outer edge lies tile-liko over the 

 inner membrane of the outermost ; the innermost toe is less than the middle one, on 

 which its outer edge impinges. The hind too is short, placed high on the leg, and 

 furnished with a lobated membrane. The arrangement of the scales crossing the toes 

 gives to them a leaf-like appearance ; for the lines dividing the scales run in regular 

 succession obliquely ujiwards from a central line or shaft, formed by the bones advancing 

 to the tips, which are covered with a broad flat nail. The leg is short, and flattened 

 laterally, so as to cut the water when drawn up after each stroke 



The largeness of' the outer toe, at the first glance surprising, is a necessary and 

 beautiful pi'ovision ; for by this arrangement the impetus of the stroke of each foot is 

 carried in a line obliquely' forwards to the anterior part of the chest, to which it 

 converges ; while, were the structure arranged difterently, the line of the impulse of the 

 stroke would diverge from the body, a;)d there would be a waste of power. 



The nests of these birds are placed among the ■ thick reeds and luxuriant aquatic 

 herbage of marshes, or the sedges which border fresh-water lakes and rivers. They arc 

 co'.nposed of masses of half-decayed roots, dried flags, and other similar materials. Each 

 one is large and compact, but roughly constructed, and rises and falls according to the 

 rise and fall of the water on which it floats. There are thi'ee or four effo's. 



THE CKESIKI) riRFBE.* 



This bird is the largest of the genus. It breeds annually amidst the moors and fens 

 of our marshy districts. As the winter sets in, and .the still waters begin to freeze, it 

 migrates to the larger rivers and there moults, where it obtains flsh and small Crustacea, 

 which form its winter food. 



When ^Ir. Selby was making a tour through Holland, accompanied by Sir W. Jardine, 

 he gave chase to a crested grebe, on one of the lakes in the neighbourhood of Eotterdam, 

 and though in a boat, conducted by those accustomed to the business,- it cost severe 

 exertion for upwards of an hour and a half to get within range, and secure it by a shot 

 through the neck. 



THE HORNED GREBE.f 



This species is plentiful in the north-east of Europe, in Northern Asia, and in North 

 America. Dr. Richardson found it in the fur countries, frequenting every lake with 

 o-rassv borders. 



This bird occasionally breeds in the eastern counties of England, and is common in 

 the northern parts of Europe. 



* Podiceps Cristatus. f Podicci).s C'oruutus. \ Podieeps Auritus. 



