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THE CRESTED GREBE. 



Podiceps cristatus, Lath. 

 PLATE CCCCLXXIX.— Male and Female. 



This beautiful species returns from its northern places of residence, and 

 passes over the Western Country, about the beginning of September. A 

 few remain on the lower parts of the Ohio, on the Mississippi, and the lakes 

 in their neighbourhood, but the greater number proceed towards the 

 Mexican territories. They pass swiftly through the air, at a height of about 

 a hundred yards, in flocks of from seven or eight to fifty or more, proceed- 

 ing in a loose body, and propelling themselves by continued flappings, their 

 necks and feet stretched out to their full length. I have observed them 

 thus passing in autumn, for several years in succession, over different parts 

 of the Ohio, at all hours of the day. On such occasions I could readily 

 distinguish the old from the young, the former being in many instances still 

 adorned with their summer head-dress. I never saw this species near the 

 sea-coast, where, on the contrary, I have met with the Red-necked Grebe. 



When about to alight on the water, these birds glide swiftly downward, 

 with their wings half-closed, and produce a sound not unlike that of a Hawk 

 stooping towards its prey. Their velocity is so great at this moment, that 

 on alighting, they glide on the surface of the water for twenty or thirty 

 yards, leaving a furrow in their wake. In a few moments they are all 

 engaged in washing and cleaning themselves, after which they dive in 

 pursuit of the fishes on which they feed, and which they secure by following 

 them in the manner of Divers and Cormorants. They are exceedingly 

 quick-sighted, and frequently elude by diving the shot intended for their 

 destruction, seldom after being chased raising more than their bill above the 

 water, but rarely making for the shore unless when nearly exhausted. 



When in ponds, they may easily be caught with fishing hooks placed on 

 lines near the bottom; but if the lines are not closely attended to, or held 

 from a place of concealment, where you may feel that they are hooked, and 

 at once haul them out, the birds drown in a very short time. On catching 

 two or three in this manner, I found the pond deserted the following 

 morning and for several days after. They very rarely fly in your presence, 

 and they leave the ponds at night. If forced to rise on wing, they run 



