THE GREBE. ' 141 



Description Maternal affection. 



THE GREBE. 



THIS is larger than either the oyster-catcher or 

 phalarope-j and its plumage is white andhlack; it 

 differs also in the shortness of its legs, which are 

 inade for swimming, and not walking; iri fact, 

 they are from the knee upward hid in the 'belly 

 of the bird, and have consequently very little mo- 

 tion. By this mark, and by the scolloped fringe 

 of the toes, may this bird be easily distinguished 

 from all others. 



As they are thus, from the shortness of their 

 wings, ill formed for flying, and from the uncom- 

 mon shortness of their legs, utterly unfitted for 

 walking, they seldom leave the water, but usually 

 frequent those broad shallow pools where the fa- 

 culty of swimming can be turned to the greatest 

 advantage, in fishing and seeking their prey. 



They are chiefly, in this countiy, seen to fre- 

 quent the meres of Shropshire and Cheshire; 

 where they breed among reeds and flags, in a 

 floating nest, kept steady by the weeds of the mar- 

 gin. The female is said to be a careful nurse of 

 its young, being observed to feed them most as- 

 siduously with small eels; and when the little 

 brood is tired, the mother will carry them, either 

 on her back or under her wings. 



This bird preys upon fish, and is almost perpe- 

 tually diving. It does not shew much more than 

 the head above water; it is very difficult to be 

 shot, as it darts down on the appearance of the 



