THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 289 



sopher mistook the carapaces of the Echinus brought ashore 

 by the waves for the nests of the Halcyon. 



Though it is well known now that the Halcyon of anti- 

 quity, which is nothing more than our kingfisher, does not 

 commit a floating-nest to the calm of the sea, the ardent 

 ornithologists who study the habits of the inhabitants of 

 our fens have discovered some species, the marvellous 

 nidification of which outstrips even the celebrated myth. 



This is the case with the nest of the little grebe. This 

 palmipede hatches its young upon a regular raft. It is a 

 mass of strong steins of aquatic plants closely united to- 

 gether, and as these contain a considerable amount of air 

 in their ample and numerous cells, and as, in addition, they 

 set free gases during the, process of rotting, these aeriform 

 fluids, imprisoned by the plants, make the nest lighter than 

 water. It is found floating in lonely spots where the tall 

 rushes and great reeds grow. There, in her improvised 

 craft, the female, upborne on her watery bed, tranquilly 

 broods on her offspring. But if any meddler happen to 

 discover her, if anything threaten her safety, the wild bird 

 plunges one of her feet into the water, and makes use of it 

 as a paddle with which she transports her dwelling to a 

 distance. The little boatman guides its frail skifl^ whither 

 it likes, sometimes dragging along a perfect sheet of water- 

 plants, looking like a little floating island carried away by 

 the labour of the diver which moves in the centre of a 

 mass of verdure. 



Thus the truth is more extraordinary than fiction.^ 



1 All the details related here as to the little grebe [Colt/mhtts minor) were given 

 me by M. Nourry, director of the museum of natural history at Elbosuf. The 

 sketch representing the nests of this bird was also executed by this distinguished 

 ornithologist, who often lived in the midst of the forests in order to study the 

 manners of birds unobserved. 



