THE BIRD BOOK 



DIVING BIRDS. Order I. PYGOPODES 

 GREBES. Family COLYMBID^ 



Grebes are birds having a ducklike body, but with pointed bills. Their 

 feet, too, are unlike those of the Ducks, each toe having its separate web, and 

 having a broad flat nail. Their wings are very small for the size of the body, 

 making it impossible for them to rise in flight from the land. They rise from 

 the water by running a few yards along the surface until they have secured 

 sufficient headway to allow them to launch themselves into the air. After 

 having risen from the water their flight is very swift and strong. On land they 

 are very awkward and can only progress by a series of awkward hops; they 

 generally lie flat on their breasts, but occasionally stand \up, supporting them- 

 selves upon their whole tarsus. Grebes, together with the Loons, are the most 

 expert aquatic birds that we have, diving like a flash and swimming for an in- 

 credible distance under water. 



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