f III ) 



THE GREBE 



IS diftinguidied by a tippet, and a plumage which unites to thefoftncfs, 

 clofeners, and thicknefs of down, the fpringinefs of feathers, and the 

 luftre of filk; efpecially the plumage of the bread is a compaft, fmoorh, 

 regular layer, forming one uniform furface, impenetrable both to cold 

 and wet J by this fubftantial clothing, the bird is enabled to fuftain the 

 mod rigorous winters, though conftantly on the waters. The feet of this 

 bird have a membrane, which is divided, and cut into fcollops round each 

 toe i his legs are placed very much backward, and he takes his flight with 

 very great labour, to which he is with difficulty excited; and endeavours to 

 avoid it, fwimming always againft the wind. On land is eafily caught, yet 

 defends himfelf well with his bill; in the water is as aflive and alert, as 

 heavy on land ; fwims, dives, and floats admirably ; purfues filh to great 

 depths ; and is often taken in nets j frequents equally fait water, and frefh 

 rivers, and lakes. The fize of a Coot ; about one foot fix inches from bill 

 to tail : nearly two feet from bill to toes; plumage deep fhining brown on 

 the back ; the front of mod filvery white ; head fmallj bill drait, fliarp; a 

 little red ikin round the eye, wings Ihort, voice drongj footfpread, and 

 flatted, covered with fcales; nails large and fiat; no tail but a rump; is 

 generally very fat; eats weeds as well as fllh ; nedles on rocks, near the 

 fea ; but around lakes makes a ned of rudies and reeds, floatino- on the 

 water, and fadened to fome fecure dation. 



The ti^ftsd Grebe is ornamented by a plume frOm the back of his 

 head, falling behind, capable of elevation and deprelfion ; is larger than the 

 common Grebe. The /ittli tufted Grebe differs, in that his tuft divides, as 

 does that of the hcrtied Grtbc ; he hasalfo a kind of mane,or daring hair, red 

 at the root, black at the point, furrounding his neck, which gives him a 

 ilrange wildnefs of air : he is larger than the common. There is a Icfs of 

 this kind. 



The ihejnut'coloured Grebe, is not only didinguifhed by his colour, but 

 by being among the fmalled birds that navigate the ocean ; he frequents 

 alfo rivers, efpecially in winter, when he is very fat ; eats fmall fifli, and 

 fmall Ihell-fifli. 



The name of this family, in many parts^of England, is Dob-chick: the 

 fpecies inhabits mod parts of the world. 



THE 



