DIVERS. 351 



surface of the water, and many of them cannot fly at all on account 

 of the shortness of their wings ; they may, therefore, be regarded 

 as exclusively water-birds ; their plumage is consequently exceed- 

 ingly thick and smooth, so as to have almost a silvery appearance. 

 They dive with great ease, using their wings almost in the same 

 manner as fins. To this tribe belong 



The Divers (Colytnbida\ distinguishable by their smooth, straight, com- 

 pressed, and pointed beak. They are, however, divisible according to the 

 structure of their feet into 



The Grebes (Podiceps}* which, instead of truly webbed feet, only have 

 their toes expanded by the addition of folds of skin at their sides and base. 

 The semi-metallic brilliancy of their plumage often causes the skins of these 

 birds to be used as a substitute for furs. They live upon the margins of lakes 

 and ponds, and make their nests among the reeds : under some circumstances 

 they are said to gather their young under their wings. 



FIG. 388.- NORTHERN DIVEK. 



The Divers, properly so called (Colymbus}^ possess the general form of 

 grebes, but have their feet completely webbed, that is to say, their toes are 

 united quite to their extremities, where they terminate in strong pointed nails. 

 These are all Northern birds, and only visit us in the winter season. 



The Great Northern Diver ( Colymbns glaciulis} is frequently seen upon our 

 northern coasts : they dive with the utmost facility, and live upon fishes and crabs that 

 they catch under water. 



* Podex, the rump; pes, afoot: so called from the legs being placed so far back, 

 f noXvfjLpijTifis, colymbetes, a dii'cr. 



