ORDER PALMIPEDES. 547 



The Grebes, Briss. Podiceps, Lath. Colymbus, 

 Briss. and Ihger. 



Have, instead of true webs, the toes enlarged, as 

 in the coots, and the anterior united only at their 

 base by membranes. The claw of the middle toe is 

 flat, the tarsi strongly compressed. The semi-me- 

 tallic shining of their plumage, has caused it to be 

 frequently used by furriers. Their tibia, as well as 

 that of the following subgenus, is elongated towards 

 the top into a point which affords a more extensive 

 insertion for the extensor muscle of the leg. 



These birds live on lakes and ponds, and build in 

 the rushes. It appears that, in certain circum- 

 stances, they carry their young under the wings. 

 Their appearance and plumage change so much 

 with age, that naturalists have over multiplied the 

 species of them. M. Meyer reduces those of Europe 

 to four. 



The Crested Grehe. Col. Cristatus, Gm. Enl. 400 

 and 944. Frisch. 183. Naum. 69, f. 106. Col. 

 Urinator, Gm. Enl. 941. Edw. 36 ? , f. 2. 



As big as a duck ; brown -black above, silvery -white 

 underneath, with a white band on the wing ; with 

 age it has a double black crest, and the adult have 

 moreover a large collar, red, bordered with black, at 

 the top of the neck. 



N N 2 



