HORNED GREBE. 267 



As it does not breed with us, its habits are little known ; for 

 in winter, it is impossible at any distance to distinguish it 

 from the next species ; and all that can be said of either is 

 equally applicable to the other. They swim and dive in the 

 most expert manner, feed on fishes, and swallow feathers, 

 like the rest. In two individuals, from the river Forth, which 

 I examined in January, 1838, the stomach was filled with 

 green confervae, feathers, some shells, coleopterous insects, 

 and particles of quartz. It occurs equally in winter on the 

 eastern and southern coasts of England, and has been found 

 breeding in the fenny districts, though in very small num- 

 bers. According to M. Temminck, it is more abundant in 

 the eastern and northern parts of Europe than elsewhere, 

 occurring only accidentally in Holland, France, and Switzer- 

 land. It appears to be at least as common in North America 

 as in Europe. 



" The Horned Grebe," says Mr. Audubon, " is abundant 

 during autumn and winter on the large rivers or inlets of the 

 Southern States, but rare along the coasts of the middle and 

 Eastern Districts. It is particulai'ly fond of those streams of 

 which the borders are overgrown by rank sedges and other 

 plants, and are subject to the influx of the tide. In such 

 places they enjoy greater security while searching for their 

 food, than in ponds, to which, however, they for the most 

 part retire at the approach of the pairing season, which com- 

 mences early in February. At that time one might be apt to 

 think that these birds could scarcely fly, as they are then 

 rarely seen on wing ; but when they are pursued, and there 

 happens to be a breeze, they rise from the water with consi- 

 derable ease, and fly to a distance of sevei'al hundred yards. 

 In December and January I have never procured any having 

 the least remains of their summer head-dress ; but by the 

 10th of March, when they are on their journey towards the 

 north, the long feathers of the head were n])parent. These 

 tufts seem to attain their full development in the course of a 

 fortnight or three weeks, the old birds becoming plumed 

 sooner than the young, some of which leave the country in 

 their winter dress. 



" Although the greater number of these birds go far north- 



