4o8 ' DUCKS. 



Sub-Family II. 

 THE GREBES. I'ODICEPIN/E.* 



General Characteristics. — Bill long, straight, compressed on the sides, with the 

 culmen slightly curved at the tip, which is acute and entire, the gonys ascending; 

 the nostrils pierced in a groove, and oblong ; the wings short, with the first quill 

 the longest ; the tail not apparent ; the tarsi short and njuch compressed ; the toes 

 long, the outer longer than the others, the anterior ones broadly lobed on the sides, 

 especially on the inner side ; the claws short, very broad, and obtuse. 



The birds composing this sub-family are met with in most parts 

 of the world. They arc usually found in flocks near the sea-coast, 

 or on the sides of lakes, fresh-water rivers, and marshes, but are 

 rarely seen on the land, owing to the great difficulty they have 

 in walking. On the water, they swim and dive with the greatest 

 facility, and are thus enabled to pursue fish at a great depth. If 

 fearful of danger, they either hide among the reeds or dive beneath 

 the floating water-plants, where, with only their bill above the 

 surface, they lie concealed until the cause of their alarm is re- 

 moved. At certain seasons they migrate, proving that, although 

 they seldom take wing, their flight can be sustained for a length- 

 ened excursion. They live upon fish, insects, and occasionally 

 water-plants. Their nest is composed of grass, lined with down: 

 it is usually built amongst reeds and other aquatic vegetation, so 

 that it sometimes seems to float on the surface of the water. The 

 eggs are from three to four in number. 



The type of this sub-family is — 



The Crested Grebe {Podiceps crisiahis), sometimes called the " Loon." 

 "The movements of this bird in the water are most graceful. In swimming 

 it vies with the swan, and it is a skilful diver. When on dry land its form is 

 ungainly, but 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 in its shape, and covered with satiny plumage, which throws 

 off water as perfectly as the fur of the otter. The long necK: tapers to exceed- 

 ingly narrow dimensions, and terminates in a small head produced into a 

 slender beak. The conformation of the greyhound is not better adapted for 

 running than that of the grebe for rapid diving after the fishes that constitute 

 its ordinary food ; the loon, however, will likewise feed on frogs, tadpoles, or 

 any small animals that come in its way. It frequents fresh water during the 

 summer months, but on the approach of winter resorts to the sea, not, it 



* Pode.x, the rump; pes, afoot: so called from the legs being placed near the hinder 

 part of the body. 



