COLYMBID.E. 517 



fresli-water rivers, and marslies, but are rarely seen 

 on tlie land, owing to the difficulty they have in 

 walking. On the water, they swim and dive with 

 the greatest fticility, and are thus enabled to pursue 

 fish at a great depth. If fearful of danger, they 

 either hide among the reeds or dive beneath the 

 floating water-plants, where, with only their bill 

 above the surface, they lie concealed until the cause 

 of their alarm is removed. At cartain seasons 

 they migrate, proving that, although they seldom 

 take wing, their flight can be sustained for a 

 lengthened excursion. They live upon fish, insects, 

 and occasionally water-plants. Their nest is com- 

 posed of grass, lined with down : it is usually built 

 amongst reeds and other aquatic vegetation, so that 

 it sometimes seems to float on the surface of the 

 water. The eggs are from three to four in number. 



The type of this sub -family is — 



The Crested Grebe (Podiceps crisfatus), sometimes 

 called the " Loon." " The movements of this bird in the 

 water are most graceful. In swimming it vies with the 

 Swan, and it is a skilful diver. When on dry land its 

 form is ungainly, but in its native element it might serve 

 as the standard of perfection among water-birds. The 

 legs, compressed so as to present a sharp edge, cut the 

 water with a minimum of resistance ; the webbed feet 

 are placed so far backwards that they fulfil at once the 

 office of propellers and rudder. The body is conical in 

 its shape, and covered with satiny plumage, which throws 

 ofi" water as perfectly as the fur of the otter. The long 

 neck tapers to exceedingly narrow dimensions, and ter- 

 minates in a small head produced into a slender beak. 

 The conformation of the Greyhound is not better adapted 

 for fleet running than that of the Grebe for rapid diving 

 after the fishes that constitute its ordinary food ; the 

 Loon, however, will likewise feed on frogs, tadpoles, or 

 any small animals that come in its way. It frequents 

 fresh water during the summer months, but on the ap- 

 proach of winter resorts to the sea, not, it would seem, 

 from any desire to vary its food, but simply to avoid 

 1)eing fi'ozen uj). The Loon is found in lakes throughout 



