RED-NECKED GREBE 301 
in its native element it might serve as the standard of perfection 
among water birds. The legs, compressed so as to present a sharp 
edge, cut the water with a minimum of resistance; the webbed 
feet are placed so far backwards that they fulfil at once the office 
of propellers and rudder; the body is conical and covered with 
satiny plumage, which throws off water as perfectly as the fur of 
the otter; the long neck tapers to exceedingly narrow dimensions 
and terminates in a small head produced into a slender bill. The 
conformation of the greyhound is not better adapted for fleet run- 
ning than that of the Grebe for rapid diving. The chase, I need 
scarcely add, consists of fish; but the Loon will feed on frogs, 
tadpoles, and any other small animals which fall in its way. It 
frequents fresh water during the summer months, but on the 
approach of winter repairs to the sea, not, it would seem, from 
any desire of varying its food, but to avoid being frozen up. It builds 
its nest among rushes or decaying weeds, but little above the level 
of the water, and lays four eggs, the male assisting his partner in 
the office of incubation. 
The young can dive and swim immediately that they are hatched; 
but if the mother be suddenly alarmed while they are with her, 
she takes them under her wing and dives with them. 
The name Loon is supposed to be a corruption of the Finnish 
designation, Leomme or Lem, ‘lame’, given to several of the 
Colymbide@ on account of the awkwardness with which they advance 
on land. 
The Loon is found in lakes throughout a great portion of both 
the eastern and western hemispheres, but not very far to the north. 
It rarely flies, except at the period of migration, when it passes 
swiftly through the air, with neck and feet extended to their full 
length. 
RED-NECKED GREBE 
PODICIPES GRISE{GENA 
Bill as long as the head, black, yellow at the base ; distance from the nostrils 
to the tip eleven lines ; crest very short ; head and crest lustrous black ; 
cheeks and throat mouse-colour ; a black band along the nape; breast 
bright rust-red ; lower parts white; flanks spotted with dusky; feet 
black, greenish yellow beneath. Young birds have the head, neck, and 
back, dusky; throat, cheeks, breast, belly, and abdomen, silky white ; 
sides of the breast spotted with grey. Length sixteen inches. Eggs 
dirty greenish white. 
THE Red-Necked Grebe is smaller than the Loon, from which it 
differs also in wanting the elongated crest, in having a more robust 
bill in proportion to its size, and is further distinguished by the 
grey hue of its cheeks, on account of which last character it is 
known in France under the name of Grébe Jou-gris. It is a native 
