436 



NATURAL HISTORY 



Swimming Birds. 



Recent studies of the anatomy and development of -the 'water-birds' 

 have sadly upset the old ideas of classification, and the result is a complete 

 re-arrangement of these forms. But since this new system is very tech- 

 nical, the old grouping may still be retained, and all the water-birds, except 

 the penguins, divided into two large groups, — the 'swimmers' and the 

 • waders.' — by taking into consideration the most marked peculiarities in 

 their habits. The details of the new classification should be sought in 

 technical works. 



First in order come the grebes, strange-looking and strangely con- 

 structed birds, which are more aquatic in their habits than any other birds, 

 except the penguins. Their plumage is soft and silky below, and the head, 

 in the male of most species, is curiously ornamented, during the breeding 

 season, with crests of brightly colored feathers, giving them a most bizarre 

 appearance. They breed solely in fresh water, and build floating nests out 

 of sticks and leaves, fastening it to the rushes on the margins of the stream 



or pond. There are 

 several species in the 

 United States. 



Much better known 

 is the loon, or great 

 northern diver, whose 

 harsh scream wakes 

 up the echoes of our 

 northern ponds and 

 lakes. It is a beauti- 

 ful bird, with its dark 

 green and black plu- 

 mage relieved with streaks and spots of white, the white lines upon the 

 neck standing out from the surrounding feathers in a most pleasing man- 

 ner. A diver it truly is, and every sportsman tells of the difficulty he 

 experiences in getting a shot at it. No sooner does the gun flash than the 

 loon is beneath the surface, and then when he reappears it may be he is a 

 quarter of a mile away. Usually but a pair of birds occupy a pond, and 

 only for the breeding season. Their nest is made in the damp earth, 

 mi the sedgy margin, and in it are deposited their dark greenish brown 



5 s - 

 The auks are far more numerous, and all the forms are confined to the 

 northern hemisphere, most of them being restricted to its colder portions. 

 In their appearance they vary much, but all are clumsy-looking creatures. 



Fig. 367. — Loon (Urinator immer). 



