CHAPTER XXXV 

 ORDER OF WEAK-WINGED DIVING BIRDS 



PYGOPODES 



WITH this group the Class of Birds enters upon a very 

 marked and swift decline from the high types. An- 

 other step beyond this Order, and we land among birds so 

 nearly wingless that they are without the power of flight. 

 The birds of the present Order have wings that are small and 

 weak; and while they are able to fly, and also to migrate, 

 they fly feebly in comparison with the cloud-cleaving goose, 

 duck, gull and albatross. Their legs are set far back on their 

 bodies, and on land they have no choice but to stand erect 

 a posture which is strikingly characteristic of the wingless 

 sea-birds generally. 



This Order, as represented in North America, contains but 

 three Families: 



ORDER PYGOPODES 



FAMILIES EXAMPLES 



GREBES Pod-i-cip'i-dae Pied-Billed Grebe. 



LOONS Gav-l'i-dae Great Northern Diver. 



AUKS AND PUFFINS Al'ci-dae Razor-Billed Auk ; Tufted 



Puffin; Murre. 



Of these, the first and second are comparatively well known. 

 The third is composed of birds that are strangers to the great 

 majority of us; but inasmuch as Alaska is constantly being 



259 



