THE CRESTED GREBE. A 205 
their full extent. When about to alight on the water, they glide 
swiftly downward, with their wings half closed, producing a sound 
not unlike that of a hawk swooping upon its prey. At this moment 
their velocity is so great that, on alighting, they slide forward on the 
surface of the water for twenty or thirty yards, leaving a deep furrow 
in their wake. ‘They are ex- 
ceedingly quick-sighted, and 
frequently elude, by diving, 
the shot which is aimed at 
them.” 
The Guillemots (Uva, 
Fig. 82) have the beak long, 
straight, convex above, some- 
what angular below, a little 
‘curved and hollowed at the 
extremity of each mandible ; 
the legs are short, compressed, 
and placed well behind the 
body ; the three anterior toes 
are united by the same mem- 
brane; the claws re-curved 
and pointed; no hind toe; 
the wings are straight, and the 
tail short. These birds, when 
placed on the ground, raise 
themselves with great diffi- 
culty, owing to the conforma- 
tion of their legs. They only SSS SS SS 
come ashore when _ seeking Rides Le iitenioe! 
shelter from the storm, or to 
breed. For the latter purpose they choose some precipitous coast 
where the rocks project in ledges, from which they can throw them- 
selves into the sea if they are disturbed. Boldly-scarped cliffs, which 
rise perpendicularly from the waves, are consequently their favourite 
resort. Unfortunately, the demand for the wings and down of the 
Guillemots has reached a point which is not unlikely to lead to their 
extermination. One London dealer, we are told, has given an order 
to a resident on Ailsa Craig, on the Clyde, for a thousand sea-birds 
weekly ; and the tacksman of the rock is so intent on supplying the 
demand, that he spreads his nets while the birds are sitting on the 
newly-hatched young, which are thus left in thousands to perish, from 
being deprived of a mother’s fostering care. 
