Order  VIII.  ANSERES. 
The  second  Family, 
COLYMBID^,  or  Divers, 
have  the  Bill  more  or  less  long,  much  compressed,  straight,  and  acute ;  the  Nostrils  placed  in  a 
longitudinal  groove,  with  the  opening  basal,  linear,  or  rounded :  the  Wings  moderate,  with  the  first 
quill  longest :  the  Tail  very  short :  the  Tarsi  short,  and  much  compressed  :  the  Toes  long,  and  the  three 
anterior  ones  more  or  less  united  together  by  a  membrane  ;  the  hind  toe  short,  and  margined  by  a  small 
membrane. 
• 
The  first  Subfamily, 
COLYMBINiE,  or  Divers, 
have  the  head  long,  straight,  with  the  tip  curved,  and  the  sides  compressed ;  the  Nostrils  basal,  lateral, 
and  placed  in  a  groove,  with  the  opening  linear  and  pervious :  the  Wings  long  and  pointed :  the  Tail 
very  short :  the  Tarsi  short,  and  much  compressed  :  the  Toes  long  ;  the  fore  toes  united  together  by  an 
entire  web ;  the  hind  toe  short,  and  slightly  margined  by  a  membrane. 
Colymbus  Linn.* 
Bill  long,  strong,  and  straight,  with  the  apical  portion  of  the  culmen  curved,  and  the  sides  compressed 
to  the  tip,  which  is  acute ;  the  gonys  long  and  ascending ;  the  nostrils  basal,  lateral,  and  placed  in  a 
membranous  groove,  with  the  opening  linear  and  pervious.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  with  the  first  and 
second  quills  the  longest.  Tail  very  short  and  rounded.  Tarsi  shorter  than  the  outer  toe,  much 
compressed,  and  covered  with  reticulated  scales.  Toes  long  ;  the  anterior  toes  united  together  by  an 
entire  web,  and  the  inner  side  of  the  internal  toe  margined  by  a  membrane ;  the  hind  toe  short,  and 
margined  by  a  small  membrane  ;  the  claws  moderate,  broad,  and  depressed. 
The  species  of  this  genus  are  found  in  the  Arctic  circle,  but  migrating  to  the  more  temperate  climates  during  severe 
winters.  They  are  observed  on  the  sea  coast,  and  on  the  lakes  and  ponds  of  the  interior.  They  are  usually  noticed  in 
pairs,  or  in  small  parties,  swimming  about  in  search  of  fish  and  other  aquatic  animals,  which  constitute  their  food,  and 
after  which  they  are  able  to  dive  and  remain  a  long  time  under  water,  and  when  they  return  to  the  surface,  they  seldom 
expose  more  than  the  neck.  They  swim  and  dive  with  the  greatest  velocity,  but  they  rarely  fly,  and  then  their  flight  is 
performed  heavily  and  high  in  the  air.  The  eggs,  which  are  two  to  four  in  number,  are  deposited  on  the  bare  ground, 
or  in  a  nest  composed  of  dry  weeds,  but  in  either  case  they  are  placed  near  the  water's  edge. 
*  Established  by  Linnaeus  in  1735-  Cepphus  of  Moehring  (1752),  Urittator  of  Cuvier  (between  17Q.9and  1800),  and  Endytes  of  Illiger 
(1811)  are  synonymous  witli  the  name  employed. 
