96 



PYGOPODES. 



COLYMBID^. 



COLYMBIDjE. 



CoLYMBUS GLACiALis (Linnasus*). 

 THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 



Colymhiis f/lacialis. 



CoLTMBUS, Linnaus-\-. — Bill about as long as the head ; strong, straight, 

 rather compressed, pointed. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, perforate. Legs 

 thin, the tarsi compressed, placed very far backwards, and closely attached to 

 the posterior part of the body; toes three in front, united by membranes, one toe 

 behind, with a small membrane, articulated upon the tarsus; the claws flat. 

 Wings short, the first primary quill-feather the longest. Tail short and rounded. 



Of the genus Colymhtis, which is confined to the Northern 



Hemisphere, there are three British species, called Divers, 



* Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 221 (1766). 



t Tom. cit. p. 220. Linnseus included in his genus the Guillemots and the 

 (xrebes. 



