The Music of the Marsh 



without parallel that in many localities it is called 

 the helldiver, on account of striking so deep and 

 remaining so long that it is supposed to have ample The 

 time to reach the lower region and return before H f H ' 

 again seeing the surface. A grebe does dive deep E 

 and long ; but do you understand the trick to which 

 it resorts ? Heading shoreward it comes up among 

 driftwood or rushes, lifting above water just 

 enough of the small, sharp bill to enable it to 

 breathe, and with film-covered eyes and water- 

 proof coat comfortably awaits the passing of dan- 

 ger, while pursuers are crediting it with wonderful 

 ability in deep diving. 



From babyhood the structural formation of the 

 grebe remains unchanged. The wing feathers are 

 almost spineless, and appear more like fringe than 

 quills. Yet, being migratory, it must be able to 

 make a strong flight. After reaching a chosen lo- 

 cation, however, and beginning housekeeping, it 

 will not take wing again until time to migrate. It 

 will suffer itself to be picked up and killed before 

 resorting to flight. For this reason it is the easiest 

 prey imaginable for feather hunters. 



A grebe very seldom leaves the water. When it 

 does it propels the body with feet and wings, just 

 as in young days, sits erect like an auk, or lies sun- 

 ning in the same position taken in swimming. It 

 is a rare thing to catch a grebe attempting to bear 

 the weight of its body on the feet. The attitude 

 393 



