164 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, 



tail coverts, which are grey ; the whole of the face is bluish 

 grey, and the feathers, as well as those of the head, can be 

 puffed out to form a kind of hood ; the ends of the greater 

 wing coverts are white ; eye red. 



It is chiefly met with by the sea, but also in ponds, near 

 which it nests. 



As the wings are very short, it does not fly much, but 

 can do so fairly well ; it is a most proficient performer in 

 the water. 



The food consists of small fish and marine insects ; and, 

 like the last species, it cats all its own cast feathers. The 

 eggs are white, with a tinge of bluish green. Length, 1 

 foot 4 inches. 



ScLAvoNi.\x, or Great Crested-Grebe. — A singular- 

 looking bird when it elevates the long yellow, red, and 

 black feathers of the head and face ; the bill is grey; sur- 

 rounding it is a ring of yellow feathers, followed by 

 another of red, and a third of black, feathers ; the neck 

 and under parts are white, the sides buflf, and the back 

 and wings dark grey, but there is a patch of white on the 

 latter towards the end ; the feet and legs, which are partly 

 webbed, are dark green. Length, 1 foot 10 inches. 



This bird is also called the loon, and is but of partial 

 distribution in England, visiting Scotland (Caithness) 

 sometimes in the winter. The eggs are three to five, 

 white, with a green tinge. 



The parents are very attentive to the young, which 

 swim directly they leave the shell. 



The food consists of fish, tadpoles, frogs, and various 

 water insects. 



They are supposed to pair for life, and if the eggs are 

 taken, more will be laid, until the poor bird is quite 

 exhausted. 



The Great Northern Diver is of rare occurrence in- 



