256 THE GREBE. 



they take no heed, defended as they are by a rich 

 coat of glossy plumage, whose smooth and oily sur- 

 face 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 fur- 

 nished 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 

 inexperienced 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 

 direction, alive to the approach of friend or foe, and, 

 if suspicious of danger, its body gradually sinking, 

 until the upper part of it only remained visible, and 

 its sharp, lance-shaped head thrown back on a its 

 slender neck, prepared to plunge at a moment's 

 notice. So rapid, indeed, are their movements, 

 that, on seeing the flash of a gun, they can dive into 

 security, below the water, before the shot can reach 

 them, as the following account will show. 



cc As I was out shooting," writes an eye-witness, 

 " I saw one of these birds swimming towards a 

 point of land, where I could easily conceal myself: 

 so I repaired thither for that purpose. He came on- 

 wards with a wild anxious gait,, constantly turning 



