THE CRESTED GREBE. 



205 



their full extent. When about to alight on the water, they glide 

 swiftly downward, with their wings half closed, producing a sound 

 not unlike that of a hawk swooping upon its prey. At this moment 

 their velocity is so great that, on alighting, they slide forward 'on the 

 surface of the water for twenty or thirty yards, leaving a deep furrow 

 in their wake. They are ex- 

 ceedingly quick-sighted, and 

 frequently elude, by diving, 

 the shot which is aimed at 

 them/' 



The Guillemots ( Uria, 

 Fig. 82) have the beak long, 

 straight, convex above, some- 

 what angular below, a little 

 curved and hollowed at the 

 extremity of each mandible ; 

 the legs are short, compressed, 

 and placed well behind the 

 body ■ the three anterior toes 

 are united by the same mem- 

 brane ; the claws re-curved 

 and pointed ; no hind toe ; 

 the wings are straight, and the 

 tail short. These birds, when 

 placed on the ground, raise 

 themselves with great diffi- 

 culty, owing to the conforma- 

 tion of their legs. They only 

 come ashore when seeking 

 shelter from the storm, or to 

 breed. For the latter purpose they choose some precipitous coast 

 where the rocks project in ledges, from which they can throw them- 

 selves into the sea if they are disturbed. Boldly-scarped cliffs, which 

 rise perpendicularly from the waves, are consequently their favourite 

 resort. Unfortunately, the demand for the wings and down of the 

 Guillemots has reached a point which is not unlikely to lead to their 

 extermination. One London dealer, we are told, has given an order 

 to a resident on Ailsa Craig, on the Clyde, for a thousand sea-birds 

 weekly ; and the tacksman of the rock is so intent on supplying the 

 demand, that he spreads his nets while the birds are sitting on the 

 newly-hatched young, which are thus left in thousands to perish, from 

 being deprived of a mother's fostering care. 



