14 
COLYIMBID.l'-. 
The lociility chosen by this bird is tlie sea-coast and lakes, 
or large ponds, and inlets in rivers, that afford the necessary 
shelter of rushes. The adult male of the present species is a 
very beautiful bird, and may be considered the handsomest of 
its family; and the plumage of its head is so peculiar and 
large, that it is not to be mistaken for any other, 
This species is not shy, and therefore easily seen ; it does 
not hide among the rushes like others of its family, but seeks 
the open surface of the liquid element on the approach of 
danger, with the view of keeping its proper distance. Soci¬ 
ability with its tribe is not to be reckoned among the virtues 
of this species, as it is a rare occurrence, to meet with more 
than three or four in one spot, even during the migratory 
season. The attachment of a pair of these birds to each 
other is remarkably great ; when one of them happens to be 
shot, the other remains with it and tries to induce its mate to 
rise and follow it. 
The food of the Sclavonian Grebe consists of insects that 
abound among the aquatic herbage it frequents, and thus it 
most probably happens that the stomach of this bird fre¬ 
quently contains vegetable matter, insects, and feathers, in 
the same quantity as has been remarked in the histories of 
the foregoing species. Its manner of obtaining food is by 
diving, and the bird may be seen swallowing its prey every 
time it emerges from the deep. 
The reproduction of the species takes place in many parts 
of Europe and America, but principally in the more northern 
countries enumerated as its summer habitation; although 
some pairs remain in latitudes on an equality with our own. 
The nest is placed among scanty herbage by the "water-side, 
or among the reedy tufts near the shore : its composition is a 
mixture of reeds, both fresh and decayed ; its fabric is a loose 
structure of these substances, and frequently floats rather 
