354 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



1. Colymbiformes. 



Grbbes and Divers. 



The Grebes and Divers call for little comment here ; they are 

 included in the two families Podicipedidm and Oolymbidce 

 respectively. Of these we need only deal with the first 

 mentioned. 



The Grebes (Podicipedidoe) are characterised by their short 

 wings, with the first three primary feathers nearly equal and the 

 longest in the wing, by the absence of any tail, by the elongated 

 conical form of the bill, and by the structure of the foot, which 

 is known as a "split-swimming foot" (fig. 184). This form 



Pig. 184.— Split-Swimming Foot of Grebe (Podvieps fiumatiUs). 



of foot as seen in the Grebes has three toes in front and one 

 behind, the three front toes much flattened, united together at 

 the base, and edged with lobate webbing ; the hind toe is also 

 flattened, while the claws are large and flat. The best-known 

 British species is — 



The Dabchick or Little Grebe {Podiceps fiumatiUs).— The 

 little grebe is widely distributed over England, and may be seen 



