Class II. GREAT CRESTED GREBE. 499 



fluftivaga domus 9 as Statius exprefles it, may in 

 fome meafure be vindicated. 



Flu&ivagam lie fsepe domum, madidofque penates 

 Halcyone deferta gemit ; cum pignora faevus 

 Auller, et algentes rapuit Thetis invida nidos. 



Thebaid. lib. ix. 3600 



It is a careful nurfe of its young, being obferved 

 to feed them mod afliduoufly, commonly with 

 fmall ells y and when the infant brood are tired 3 

 will carry them either on its back or under its 

 wings. This bird preys on Mill, and is almoft per- 

 petually diving: it does not mew much more than 

 the head above water, and is very difficult to be 

 fhot, as it darts down on the appearance of the led: 

 danger. It is never feen on land; and though 

 difturbed ever fo often, will not fly farther than 

 the end of the lake. Its fkin is out of feafon about 

 February ', lofmg then its bright color : and in the 

 breeding time its bread is almoft bare. The flefh 

 of this bird is exceffively rank : but the fat is of 

 great virtue in rheumatic pains, cramps and paraly- 

 tic contractions. 



Vol. II. L 1 £a«?d 



