190 BRITISH AND EUROPEAN BIRDS. 



Where the ocean is heard in tumultuous roar, 



The Guillemots came from some bold, rocky shore. 



foot, weighs between six and seven ounces; length ten inches. 

 The general colour of this bird is a rusty black ; it varies how- 

 ever occasionally in its plumage. It is the least and mqst plen- 

 tiful species of the genus, being common in most lakes, slow 

 rivers, small streams, and even fish-ponds of tliis country. It 

 seldom takes wing, but dives on the least alarm, remaining un- 

 der water, with its bill only above for respiration, for a long 

 time. Nest similar to other grebes, but usually fastened to 

 the reeds. In the spring the males emit a shrill chattering 

 noise. This bird is found in most parts of the old continent, 

 and also in some parts of America. See the Introduction. 

 Dravton has well described this bird : 



'• And in a creek where waters least did stir. 

 Set from the rest the nimble Divedopper, 

 That comes and goes so quickly and so oft, 

 As seems at once both under and aloft.'" 



Man in the Moon. 



In concluding this note, I cannot avoid noticing the singular 

 confusion which prevails among naturalists in regard to the 

 nomenclature of this genus of birds. I have not been enabled 

 to clear up the difficulties which beset me. I find two diffe- 

 rent species named Colymbus cristatus and Colymbus minor; 

 these errors I have copied, nor can I explain them satisfac- 

 torily : a proof, if any proof were wanting, that a master mind 

 in the science of ornithology is still a desideratum, and a 

 convincing proof also of the propriety of the course which I 

 have adopted in this poem in not adniitting scientific terms into 

 the text. Whether the quinary arrangement mentioned in the 

 Introduction may ultimately dissipate these clouds in the scien- 

 tific ornithological horizon, is a question still remaining to be 

 decided. 



