GREBE. 249 



turn is overcome. This probably arises from their want of 

 tail, the great size of which in birds of prey and others en- 

 ables them to alight without receiving any shock. It would 

 appear that a Grebe cannot alight on land, at least on its 

 feet, and that it even stands with difficulty, generally apply- 

 ing the tarsus to the gTOund. 



They feed chiefly on fish, but also on insects, reptiles, 

 mollusca, and sometimes seeds. It is very remarkable that 

 all of them employ feathers, apparently their own, for the 

 purpose of aiding digestion. They nestle among reeds, 

 sedges, and other aquatic plants, forming a bulky nest, and 

 laying from three to five or six oval, white eggs. The young, 

 covered with down, immediately betake themselves to the 

 water. The moult takes place in summer and autumn. 

 Adults have the head and neck ornamented with elongated 

 feathers, which are produced in spring and fall in autumn. 

 The prevailing colours are dusky or blackish-grey on the 

 upper parts, silvery white beneath. Their flesh is remark- 

 ably dark-coloured, disagreeably flavoured, and unfit for food. 

 The silvery white plumage of their lower parts is used for 

 tippets. 



