274 NATATORES. 



primaries white. The feathers on the nape a little produced, 

 forming the rudiment of a crest. The cheeks and throat 

 grey ; the breast reddish chestnut ; the rest of the under 

 part white, with a fine satin gloss, and some obscure dusky 

 mottlings on the sides and flanks. The female has nearly 

 the same plumage as the male, but the young want the red- 

 dish colour on the breast, and have the colour on the upper 

 part paler. This species eats the seeds of aquatic plants. 

 It may be a native, as there is nothing to induce grebes to 

 migrate northward in summer ; and as all the other species 

 are resident. The shortness of the wings of these birds 

 would not, however, prevent them from migrating, because 

 they could both repose and feed upon the water ; and their 

 wings are not shorter than those of some of the regularly 

 migrant swimmers. 



THE CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps Cristcttlis). 



The crested grebe, though not a very common bird, is 

 found in various parts of the country. It breeds in the 

 fresh-water pools, but is sometimes found on the shores. Its 

 nest is formed of a large bunch of reeds and other dry aquatic 

 plants, placed near and sometimes actually on the water, 

 though still hidden among the reeds and other tall herbage, 

 and not detached or floating, unless loosened and set adrift 

 by the rising of the water or some other accident after it is 

 constructed. Indeed, a bird can no more build a nest on the 

 water than a man could so build a ship. If the grebe could 

 nestle under water, and build there of materials heavier than 

 that fluid, the task might be accomplished ; but on the sur- 

 face of the water, it is not possible. The eggs are four in 

 number, about the same size as those of the common pigeon, 

 and of a white colour. Some caution is requisite in judging 

 of the colour of grebes' eggs. They are all white when 

 laid ; but they are soon soiled by the feet of the birds, to 



