( 595 ) 

 THE CRESTED GREBE. 



PODICEPS CRISTATUS, LatH. 

 VLATE CCXCII. Male and Female. 



This beautiful species returns from its northern places of residence, 

 and passes over the Western Country, about the beginning of September. 

 A few remain on the lower parts of the Ohio, on the Mississippi, and the 

 lakes in their neighbourhood, but the greater number proceed towards 

 the Mexican territories. They pass swiftly through the air, at a height 

 of about a hundred yards, in flocks of from seven or eight to fifty or more, 

 proceeding in a loose body, and propelling themselves by continued flap- 

 pings, their necks and feet stretched out to their full length. I have ob- 

 served them thus passing in autumn, for several years in succession, over 

 different parts of the Ohio, at all hours of the day. On such occasions I 

 could readily distinguish the old from the young, the former being in 

 many instances still adorned with their summer head-dress. I never saw 

 this species near the sea-coast, where, on the contrary, I have met with 

 the Red-necked Grebe. 



When about to alight on the water, these birds glide swiftly down- 

 ward, with their wings half-closed, and produce a sound not unlike that 

 of a hawk stooping towards its prey. Their velocity is so great at this 

 moment, that on alighting, they glide on the surface of the water for 

 twenty or thirty yards, leaving a furrow in their wake. In a few mo- 

 ments they are all engaged in washing and cleaning themselves, after 

 which they dive in pursuit of the fishes on which they feed, and which 

 they secure by following them in the manner of Divers and Cormorants. 

 They are exceedingly quick-sighted, and frequently elude by diving the 

 shot intended for their destruction, seldom after being chased raising 

 more than their bill above the water, but rarely making for the shore un- 

 less when nearly exhausted. 



When in ponds, they may easily be caught with fishing hooks placed 

 on lines near the bottom ; but if the lines are not closely attended to, or 

 held from a place of concealment, where you may feel that they are hooked, 

 and at once haul them out, the birds drown in a very short time. On 

 catching two or three in this manner, I found the pond deserted the fol- 



p p 2 



