VARIOUS SPECIES. 
153 
tapers to exceedingly narrow dimensions, and terminates in a small 
head produced into a slender beak. The conformation of the grey- 
hound is not better adapted for running than that of the grebe for 
rapid diving after the fishes that constitute her ordinary food ; the loon, 
however, will likewise feed on frogs, tadpoles, or any small animals 
that come in her way. She frequents fresh water during the summer 
months; but on the approach of winter resorts to the sea, not, it 
would seem, from any desire to vary her food, but simply to avoid 
being frozen up." 
Other species are the red-necked gi-ebe, the eared grebe, and the 
little grebe, all of which are visitors of our coasts, and resemble each 
other in their habits. The eared is distinguished by the peculiar shape 
of his bill, which is depressed at the base, and curves upwards slightly 
at the extremity. He is less addicted to betake himself seaward than 
the other species, his principal food being small fishes, aquatic insects, 
and seeds. The most expert diver of all, and, indeed, of all water- 
birds the most skilful in this art, is the little grebe, or dabchick, or 
didapper, or little ducker, as he is variously and not altogether eupho- 
niously called. He seems most thoroughly to enjoy the antics he 
performs in the water, and goes through them with an evident ease 
and jollity that delight the spectator. He builds his nest on the reed- 
fringed marge of lake or stream, with the rustling reed-flowers bend- 
ing over it to conceal its two or three eggs from the vulgar eye. The 
male bird is about ten inches in length ; the female somewhat shorter. 
The dominant colours of the plumage are brown and black, with 
grayish tints and white markings on the wings. 
THE CALIFORNIAN QUAIL. 
The quails are a very numerous family, with certain points of re- 
semblance to the partridges, and fond, like them, of localities where 
bushes or thick hedges afibrd a ready covert. One of the most remark- 
able species is the crested quail of California; and certainly it is one of 
the handsomest. It is said to have been first discovered during the 
voyage of discovery of the frigate La Perouse. 
This beautiful bird, we are told, is common throughout California, 
