412 Synopsis of the Birds 



82. HELIORNIS.* 



Plotus, Gm. Lath. Grebe-Foidques, Buff. Colymbus, 

 Lacepede. Heliornis, Bonatcrre. Vieill. Podoa, 111. Temm. 

 Ranz. Nob. An. Table. 



Bill moderate, straight, cylindric-compressed, subulate, 

 somewhat curved and notched at tip, acute ; edges sharp, 

 entire ; mandibles equal ; upper slightly furrowed each side 

 nearly its whole length, depressed above, margins dilated 

 at base ; lower straight, angular beneath : nostrils in the 

 furrow, medial, lateral, longitudinal, concave, oblong, cover- 

 ed by a membrane, open in the middle, pervious. Head 

 small, entirely feathered ; eyes moderate ; neck moderate, 

 slender: "body elongated. Feet short; tibiae almost 

 entirely feathered ; tarsi somewhat rounded : anterior toes 

 long, rather slender ; hind toe short, touching the ground at 

 lip only ; connecting membrane much indented, very deeply 

 scalloped, merely bordering the anterior toes ; hind toe not 

 only free, but simple : nails short, compressed, curved, acute. 

 Wings moderate, acute, sub-tuberculated ; second and third 

 primaries longest. Tail spreading, of twelve feathers. 



Female similar to the male. Young differing somewhat 

 from the adult. Moult twice a year, hardly changing the 

 colors of their plumage. Plumage very thick, close, and 

 downy. Colors brownish. 



Very active. Keep on rivers and creeks, fly well : swim 

 and dive admirably : walk very awkwardly, hardly ever rest- 

 ing but on their favourite element. Feed on fishes and 

 aquatic animals, but especially winged insects, which they 

 seize in the air with great dexterity. Breed on the ground 

 in marshes, near water. Often expanding their wings and tail. 



* Having ascertained the priorit)' of this name, we make it a duty to 

 adopt it in preference to that given by Uliger. 



