Order  VIII.  AN  SERES. 
Family  II.  Colymbid^e. 
The  second  Subfamily, 
PODICIPINiE,  or  Grebes, 
have  the  Bill  long,  straight,  compressed  on  the  sides,  with  the  culmen  slightly  curved  at  the  tip,  which 
is  acute  and  entire  ;  the  gonys  ascending ;  the  nostrils  pierced  in  a  groove  and  oblong ;  the  ^Yings 
short,  with  the  first  quill  the  longest ;  the  Tail  not  apparent ;  the  Tarsi  short  and  much  compressed  ; 
the  Toes  long,  the  outer  longer  than  the  others ;  the  anterior  ones  broadly  lobed  on  the  sides,  especially 
on  the  inner  side  ;  the  claws  short,  very  broad,  and  obtuse. 
Po dic eps  Lath.* 
Bill  more  or  less  long,  strong,  straight,  the  culmen  slightly  curved  at  the  tip,  which  is  acute  and 
entire  ;  the  sides  much  compressed,  and  the  gonys  short  and  advancing  upwards  to  an  acute  point ;  the 
nostrils  placed  in  a  short  groove,  with  the  opening  longitudinal  and  exposed.  Wings  short  and  pointed, 
with  the  first  or  sometimes  the  second  quill  the  longest,  and  slightly  emarginated  near  the  tips.  Tail 
short,  not  apparent.  Tarsi  shorter  than  the  middle  toe,  much  compressed,  the  anterior  and  posterior 
edges  covered  with  small  scales,  which  are  serrated  posteriorly,  and  the  sides  with  transverse  scales. 
Toes  long,  the  outer  the  longest,  depressed,  margined  on  the  sides,  especially  on  the  inner  side,  and 
united  at  the  base  to  the  middle  toe ;  the  hind  toe  short  and  strongly  lobed ;  the  claws  short,  very 
broad,  flat,  and  obtuse. 
The  species  are  scattered  over  the  world,  and  are  usually  found  in  small  flocks  near  the  sea-coast,  or  on  the  sides  of 
the  lakes,  fresh-water  rivers,  and  marshes,  but  are  rarely  seen  on  the  land,  owing  to  the  difficulty  they  have  in  walking. 
On  the  water,  however,  they  swim  and  dive  with  the  greatest  facility  and  activity,  and  are  enabled  to  pursue  fish  to  a  great 
depth.  If  fearful  of  danger,  they  either  hide  among  the  reeds  or  dive  beneath  the  floating  water  plants,  where,  with  only 
their  bill  above  the  surface  they  lie  concealed,  until  the  cause  of  their  alarm  has  subsided,  when  they  resume  their 
visual  avocations.  At  certain  seasons  they  migrate,  which  is  usually  performed  over  the  sea  near  the  coast ;  and  the 
flight  is  limited,  except  when  at  a  certain  elevation,  and  then  it  is  rather  rapid,  and  can  be  sustained  for  a  lengthened 
excursion.  Fish,  insects,  and  occasionally  water  plants  form  their  subsistence.  The  nest  is  composed  of  grass,  lined 
with  down;  it  is  usually  fixed  to  reeds  and  other  plants,  and  it  sometimes  floats  on  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  eggs 
are  three  to  four  in  number. 
*  Latham  in  1790  established  this  genus  (Index  Ornithologicus,  p.  780.).  Colymbus  of  Brisson  (17G0),  and  Lophuithyia  of  M.  Kaup 
(1829)  are  synonymous.  It  embraces  Di/tes,  Proctopus,  Podeaithyia  of  Dr.  Kaup  (1829),  and  Dasyptilus  of  Mr.  Swainson  (1837),  with 
which  Poliocephalus  of  Mr.  Selby  is  synonymous. 
