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 fuliil 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 

 ColymhidcB 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 GRISEIGENA 



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 dusk}^ ; 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 Grche Jou-gris. It is a native 



