200 PODICIPIN^E. 



FAMILY XL V. PODICIPIN^E. PODICIPJNE 

 BIRDS, OR GREBES AND LOONS. 



The Grebes, considered as a family, are characterized 

 more especially by the manner in which the feet are 

 adapted for rapid swimming, the tarsi and toes being ex- 

 tremely compressed. They are birds varying from ra- 

 ther small or moderate to large size, with the body ellip- 

 tical, much depressed, especially behind, where it often 

 forms, when the legs are extended, a broad, thin edge ; 

 the neck very long and slender ; the head small, oblong, 

 compressed, gradually tapering forward ; the bill rather 

 long, slender, straight, much compressed, tapering, and 

 pointed ; the legs very short, placed at the posterior ex- 

 tremity of the body, the tibia, though long, being includ- 

 ed within the skin ; the tarsus short, and extremely 

 compressed ; the toes four, so disposed that with their 

 webs they may fold into a compressed paddle, which in 

 swimming is expanded into wide-spreading lobes. The 

 plumage is very soft, blended, on the lower parts silky ; 

 the scapulars very long and decurved ; the wings small 

 and pointed, with eleven primaries ; the tail, always 

 very small, often a slight tuft or pencil of minute downy 

 feathers, scarcely perceptible. They are essentially div- 

 ing piscivorous birds, inhabiting chiefly fresh water, but 

 also occasionally betaking themselves to the sea, and es- 

 pecially to estuaries. They float lightly, but can sink 

 on occasion so as to present only the head and neck. 

 Among birds remarkable for the facility with which they 

 swim and dive, they are conspicuous in that respect. 

 They are incapable of walking, and can hardly even 

 alight on their feet. It is remarkable that most of the 

 species have the habit of swallowing feathers. Their 

 nests are bulky, placed among aquatic herbage ; the eggs 

 of some are oval, white, and from three to six, of others 



