A GROUP OF LOONS. 
251 
parts greenish black ; the wings are mostly greyish brown, 
with white markings. 
This is the commonest as well as the smallest of all the 
British Grebes, if a Grebe it may be called. It remains 
with us through the whole year, inhabiting riish-grown 
lakes or fish-ponds, and the weedy parts of rivers during 
summer; but in winter it is more frequent on small 
streams. 
Kusticus, of Godalming, states :— 
I have occasionally, though but seldom, found the Dabchick's nest 
in the weeds near the banks of this island. It is large for the bird, 
but of very inconsiderable thickness, and always wet, so that the eggs 
are for ever in a sort of puddle. The eggs are about as big as black- 
birds', but rather longer : when only two or three, they are white and 
uncovered, but when more they are carefully concealed frequently with 
the flowers of the common reed ; and this is not to be done at a 
moment's notice, when you drive the bird from her nest ; there are 
no reeds near enough for that ; but she sits on the eggs, reeds and 
all ; and the eggs are then of a dingy brown. 
Loons. 
These birds constitute not only a genus, termed 
Colynibus, but also a family, Golymhince^ which contains, 
perhaps, fewer species than any other to be found in the 
systems of arrangement adopted by naturalists. We know 
of but three species, to be presently enumerated ; they 
form a well-defined and easily distinguishable genus, and 
may be generally described as having long narrow bodies, 
tapering at both ends ; long and stout necks, and oblong 
compressed heads, very narrow behind; bills about the 
length of the head, flattened, tapering, and pointed ; feet 
differing from the Grebes in having the toes connected by 
regular webs ; tail, although small, formed of regular 
feathers, and not downy plumules ; wings small, narrow, 
acute, much like those of the Auk family. In the celerity 
with which they dive and proceed under water, they are 
not excelled by any aquatic birds, hence the name Divers 
is often especially applied to these members of the great 
order of Divers. 
The Ring-necked Loon {Cohjmbus glacialis), sometimes 
called the Great Northern Diver; Greatest Speckled Diver; 
