THE GREBE. 419 



TABLE XXX. (See page 23.) 



ORDER 6. PALMIPEDES. TRIBE 4. BREVIPENNES. 

 (Short-winged.) 



rPHE characteristic feature of this, the last tribe of the last 

 L order of birds, is the extreme shortness of the wing, which, 

 in many of them, prevents their flying to any distance, and, 

 in some, partakes more of a fin than a feathered wing. Their 

 legs are, moreover, placed far behind ; their plumage is close 

 and glossy, so as to resist water ; all which peculiarities fit 

 them for a more exclusively water life. It is divided into four 

 genera : 1. Grebes, or Divers ; 2. Guillemots ; 3. Auks, or 

 Puffins; 4. Penguins. 



The Grebes, which take precedence in this list of the short- 

 winged tribe, are the only birds whose habits lead them to 

 pass comparatively peaceful lives, on the less agitated surfaces 

 of our inland lakes and meres ; the others being all, more or 

 less, sea-birds, whose dwelling-place, when on land, is on wild 

 rocks, exposed to storm and tempest, of which they take no 

 heed, defended as they are by a rich coat of glossy plumage, 

 whose smooth and oily surface is impenetrable to water. 



The Grebes, though classed amongst the palmated or web- 

 footed families, nevertheless, in some species at least, differ 

 from them in one respect, having only partial webs ; the 

 toes being flattened and furnished with what is called lobes 

 or membranes, like those of the Coot. They are unsocial 

 solitary birds, seldom more than a pair being seen together ; 

 and withal, so shy, that it requires all the address and skill of 

 a keen sportsman to get within shot ; though the inexpe- 

 rienced may think it an easy matter so to do, when he sees 

 one of them apparently dozing within a few yards of the 

 rushy confines of a pool of water. But the Grebe is neither 

 sleeping nor off* his guard ; as the gunner would know, were 

 he near enough to watch the motions of the wary bird. He 

 would then see its clear penetrating eye glancing in every 



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