200 
PODICIPINJE. 
FAMILY XL Y. PODICIPINiE. PODICIPINE j 
BIRDS, OR GREBES AND LOONS. 
The Grebes, considered as a family, are characterized 
more especially by the manner in which the feet are 
adapted for rapid swimming, the tarsi and toes being ex- 
tremely compressed. They are birds varying from ra- 
ther small or moderate to large size, with the body ellip- 
tical, much depressed, especially behind, where it often 
forms, when the legs are extended, a broad, thin edge ; I 
the neck very long and slender ; the head small, oblong, 
compressed, gradually tapering forward ; the bill rather J 
long, slender, straight, much compressed, tapering, and ! 
pointed ; the legs very short, placed at the posterior ex- 
tremity of the body, the tibia, though long, being includ- j 
ed within the skin ; the tarsus short, and extremely 
compressed ; the toes four, so disposed that with their 
webs they may fold into a compressed paddle, which in 
swimming is expanded into wide-spreading lobes. The 
plumage is very soft, blended, on the lower parts silky ; 
the scapulars very long and decurved ; the wings small 
and pointed, with eleven primaries ; the tail, always 
very small, often a slight tuft or pencil of minute downy 
feathers, scarcely perceptible. They are essentially div- 
ing piscivorous birds, inhabiting chiefly fresh water, but 
also occasionally betaking themselves to the sea, and es- 
pecially to estuaries. They float lightly, but can sink 
on occasion so as to present only the head and neck. 
Among birds remarkable for the facility with which they 
swim and dive, they are conspicuous in that respect. 
They are incapable of walking, and can hardly even 
alight on their feet. It is remarkable that most of the 
species have the habit of swallowing feathers. Their 
nests are bulky, placed among aquatic herbage ; the eggs 
of some are oval, white, and from three to six ? of others 
