340 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



from those of the nearly allied genera by their short tails, which are never 

 longer than the bill. 



This genus may be subdivided into two subgenera^ the species of which 

 very closely resemble each other in general appearance, but differ in the 

 number of their toes — ^twelve of them having three toes in front, and 

 seven of them only two. The general colour of the plumage of the upper 

 parts is blue and green with metallic reflections, occasionally crossing the 

 breast, and the underparts are generally rich chestnut, but occasionally 

 white. The wings are short, concave, and rounded, and the tail is very 

 short and rounded. 



The birds in this genus are found throughout the Old World except the 

 Arctic regions and New Zealand. They number about twenty species, 

 only one of which is European and is a resident in the British Islands. 



The birds belonging to this genus frequent almost exclusively the imme- 

 diate neighbourhood of streams and lakes, into the waters of which they 

 plunge to secure their food, which consists principally of small fish and 

 water-insects. Their flight is straight and quick, their wings beating 

 with great rapidity. They breed in holes in banks, which they generally 

 excavate themselves, and make no nest. Their eggs are very round, pure 

 white, and very highly polished. 



