COLYMBID^. 243 



best known as an American species, being only an occasional 

 visitant on the European continent and in Great Britain. 

 "In winter it ranges through the United States, and breeds 

 in the vicinity of Louisville, placing the nest in hollow trees, 

 but farther north, where these are wanting, the ground is re- 

 sorted to." We are not acquainted with the eggs of this 

 bird, nor have we met with a description of them. 



COLYMBID,E. DIVERS. 



We now arrive at the second division or family of Nata- 

 torial Birds, namely the Divers. In the true Divers the wings 

 are small, sharp-pointed, and stiff, and admirably adapted 

 for progress under water, and the feet, which are placed 

 considerably behind the point of equilibrium in the body, 

 so as almost to preclude the possibility of walking, are yet 

 calculated to give their whole propelling force to the body 

 of the bird on the water. The importance of such a struc- 

 ture is apparent when we remember that these birds live 

 almost entirely on the water, except during the season of 

 incubation, and that they subsist exclusively upon fish, which 

 they procure by diving. The species composing the family 



