THE GREBE. 951 



either of the latter. Its legs appear formed only for 

 swimming ; like those of the former class, they are 

 almost hid in the mider parts of the bird : the toes are 

 short, fringed, and finny. The wings have somewhat 

 the appearance of being clipped sideways ; and thus 

 it seems as little formed for rising in the air as for 

 walking on land. Its habits entirely assimilate with 

 its formation. The appetites and habits of this 

 bird claim affinity with the web-footed class ; for it 

 preys upon fish, and passes its existence swimming 

 and diving, — ^just exhibiting the head above, and 

 darting completely under, water, at the least appear- 

 ance of danger. It is very shy, and very difficult to 

 be shot. It occurs in Wales and the north-western 

 counties of England, where it is found to breed among 

 the reeds and flags of the picturesque meres of those 

 districts. The plumage is for the most part white 

 and black, with shadings. The nests are made to 

 float on the tops of the reeds and nishes of the 

 shallow pools it best loves to frequent, and are only 

 supported by the strength of the creeping roots of 

 the marginal weeds. The grebe was, some time 

 back, a more numerous class than at present. It 

 was greatly sought after for the furry down of its 

 breast, which presents the most silvery gloss, and of 

 a hue more silken than that of Genoa velvet. As, 

 where once it settles its abode, there it continues till 

 its extii-pation, however much disturbed, it may be 

 imagined that not much difficulty occurred in finding 

 its haunt and securing the bird (although of a wary 



