354? HISTORY OF 



are made for swimming, and not walking : in 

 fact, they are from the knee upward hid in the 

 belly of the bird, and have consequently very 

 little motion. By this mark, and by the scollop- 

 ed fringe of the toes, may this bird be easily dis- 

 tinguished from all others. 



As they are thus, from the shortness of their 

 wings, ill formed for flying, and from the uncom- 

 mon shortness of their legs utterly unfitted for 

 walking, they seldom leave the water, and chiefly 

 frequent those broad shallow pools where their 

 faculty of swimming can be turned to the great- 

 est advantage in fishing and seeking their prey. 



They are chiefly, in this country, seen to fre- 

 quent the meres of Shropshire and Cheshire ; 

 where they breed among reeds and flags, in a 

 floating nest, kept steady by the weeds of the 

 margin. The female is said to be a careful 

 nurse of its young, being observed to feed them 

 most assiduously with small eels ; and when the 

 little brood is tired, the mother will carry them, 

 either on her back or under her wings. This 

 bird preys upon fish, and is almost perpetually 

 diving. It does . not show much more than the 

 head above water; and is very difficult to be 

 shot, as it darts down on the appearance of the 

 least danger. It is never seen on land; and, 

 though disturbed ever so often, will not leave 

 that lake, where alone, by diving and swimming, 

 it can find food and security. It is chiefly sought 

 for the skin of its breast, the plumage of which is 

 of a most beautiful silvery white, and as glossy as 

 satin. This part is made into tippets ; but the 



