62 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



inland lakes, fens, and indeed any large sheet of fresh 

 water. 



The eastern coasts of our own country are the parts 

 most usually resorted to ; in Germany and Holland the 

 bird is well known, and it is said to be found in France, 

 Switzerland, Provence, and Italy. It has not yet 

 been observed in the Arctic portions of North America, and 

 only very rarely in the United States. 



. Crustacea, aquatic insects of every description, and the 

 smaller kinds of fish, are the principal items of their diet, 

 and are procured largely by diving. 



The Smew is certainly the most accomplished diver 

 and swimmer of its tribe. It seems to be as much at 

 home beneath the water as upon the surface indeed, the 

 rapidity and ease with which fish are pursued and captured 

 are almost incredible. On terra jirma its method of pro- 

 gression is slow, awkward, and ungainly : a state of 

 things immediately attributable to the position of the legs, 

 which are placed very near the end of the body. The flight 

 is strong and straight, and the birds are noted for the 

 long distances over which their journeys occasionally 

 extend. Whilst engaged in feeding, and indeed at all 

 times, the Smew is a shy, cautious, and vigilant bird, 

 difficult of approach, and always warily looking out for 

 danger. 



In the winter the birds are gregarious, and are 

 met with in small flocks, feeding together for mutual 

 safety. 



In the spring of the year these birds leave our islands 

 and proceed farther north ; they breed in localities situated 

 in high northern or north-eastern latitudes, and at this 

 period of their life very little detailed information is obtain- 



