NATA TORES. COLYMBUS. 405 



in length. Front toes entirely webbed, hind toe furnished 

 with a lobe, and partly connected with the exterior membrane 

 of the inner toe. Nails flat and broad. 



General contour broad and flat. Plumage thick, close, ad- 

 pressed, and glossy. 



In their aquatic habits and mode of life, the Divers strongly 

 resemble the preceding genus, being the constant inhabitants 

 of the watery element, to which, indeed, we may consider 

 them as equally confined by the similar conformation and 

 position of their legs. They differ, however, from the Grebes 

 in having the toes connected throughout their length, as in 

 the Alcadce and Anatidce ; but their form and articulation 

 are like those of Grebes, and the tarsus is of the same com- 

 pressed shape. In this genus the hind toe, in addition to its 

 lobe, is connected towards its base with the membrane skirt- 

 ing the exterior edge of the inner toe, shewing in this re- 

 spect an apparent approach to the Pellcanidce. They pos- 

 sess a true tail> but it is very short, and concealed by the 

 upper coverts, which are as long as the rectrices. Their 

 wings are short and sharp pointed ; and though they rarely 

 fly, yet they can do so occasionally, both with swiftness and 

 for a considerable time. In swimming, their broad and 

 flattened body is immersed in the water, the head and neck 

 only appearing above the surface. They dive continually, 

 and with little apparent exertion ; their progress beneath is 

 very rapid, and they can stretch to a great distance without 

 rising to breathe. They live upon fish, aquatic insects, and 

 sometimes vegetables, but the first form the principal part of 

 their support. During their Polar migration they retire to 

 the fresh water lakes of the interior, where they breed close 

 to the brink of the water, upon islets, or other suitable sta- 

 tions; but on the approach of winter repair again to the 

 ocean. They lay but two eggs, and the young differ greatly 

 from the adults in plumage, not acquiring maturity until 

 after the third general moult. They are birds of a wild dis- 



