ClassII. great crested GREBE. 153 



not shew much more than the head above water, 

 and is very difficult to be shot, as it darts down 

 on the appearance of the lest danger. It is 

 never seen on land ; and though disturbed ever 

 so often, will not fly farther than the end of the 

 lake. Its skin is out of season about February, 

 losing then its bright color; and in the breeding 

 time its breast is almost bare. The flesh of this 

 bird is excessively rank; but the fat is said to 

 be of great virtue in rheumatic pains, cramps, 

 and paralytic contractions. 



A grebe taken near Holywell, No*vemher 

 I8th 1 789, was little less than my Greater crest- 

 ed Grebe. On the head was a dusky crest divid- 

 ed into two towards the end; the cheeks, chin, 

 and whole under side were silvery white; the 

 upper, and part of the wings dusky, the latter 

 crossed by a single band of white, and along 

 the ridge was a broad white band ; the tertials 

 were white; under the chin the feathers full, and 

 divided before ; the bill flesh-colored ; the irises 

 bright red; the legs dusky.* 



*~Brisson av. vi. 38. Tah. 4. Pl.Enl. g44. 



