DIVERS. 



popping up again with almost ludicrous rapidity. This bird can fly moderately 



well, and can rise from the water without difficulty, when it will circle about 

 the spot whence it rose, keeping some five or six feet above the surface, utter- 

 ing the while its curious rattling cry. Its nest is made of water-weeds, and 

 is placed among the rank aquatic herbage : it is scarcely raised above the 

 surface, and is mostly wet. The eggs are five or six in number, and their 

 normal colour is white, but they soon become stained of a muddy brown 

 hue."— Rev. J. G. Wood. 



Fig. 202— The Senegal Fin-foot {Helioruis Siucsaleiisis). 



Sub-Fmnily III. 

 THE SUN-GREBES. IIELIORNIN^.* 



General Characteristics.— Bill long, straight, and comprcs.sed, with the tip shghtly 

 curved and emarginated, the gonys of the lower mandible short and advancing up- 

 wards : the wings moderate and rounded ; the tail long and much rounded ; the 

 tarsi short, and The toes margined with a membrane, which is more or less united to 

 the middle one. 



These birds arc chiefly seen on the sides of rivers and creeks. 

 In such places they search for small fish and insects, more espe- 

 cially flics, in catching which they show great dexterity. They 



^Xtos, helios, the sun : 6pvis, ornis, a bird. 



