Order  VIIJ.  ANSEKES. 
Family  II.  CoLYMBiPiE. 
^ he  second  Subfamily, 
PODICIPINiE,  or  Grebes, 
the  Bill  long,  straight,  compressed  on  the  sides,  with  the  culmen  slightly  curved  at  the  tip,  which 
^ acute  and  entire ; the  gonys  ascending ; the  nostrils  pierced  in  a gi’oove  and  oblong ; the  Wings 
^^ort,  -with  the  first  quill  the  longest ; the  Tail  not  apparent ; the  Tarsi  short  and  much  compressed ; 
Toes  long,  the  outer  longer  than  the  others ; the  anterior  ones  broadly  lobed  on  the  sides,  especially 
^he  inner  side  ; the  claws  short,  very  broad,  and  obtuse. 
Po  Die  EPS  Lath.* 
*// 
«ntir  the  culmen  slightly  curved  at  the  tip,  which  is  acute  and 
Jiostr^  ' compressed,  and  the  gonys  short  and  advancing  upwards  to  an  acute  point ; the 
^ groove,  with  the  opening  longitudinal  and  exposed.  Wmgs  short  and  pointed, 
the  first  or  sometimes  the  second  quill  the  longest,  and  slightly  emarginated  near  the  tips.  Tail 
ed  apparent.  Tarsi  shorter  than  the  middle  toe,  much  compressed,  the  anterior  and  posterior 
§cs  covered  with  small  scales,  which  are  serrated  posteriorly,  and  the  sides  with  transverse  scales. 
^ _ ong,  the  outer  the  longest,  depressed,  margined  on  the  sides,  especially  on  the  inner  side,  and 
, at  the  base  to  the  middle  toe ; the  hind  toe  short  and  strongly  lobed ; the  claws  short  very 
flat,  obtuse. 
Xh 
scattered  over  the  world,  and  are  usually  found  in  small  flocks  near  the  sea-coast,  or  on  the  sides  of 
the^*’  ^esh-water  rivers,  and  marshes,  but  are  rarely  seen  on  the  land,  owing  to  the  difficulty  they  have  in  walking. 
®wnn  and  dive  with  the  greatest  facility  and  activity,  and  are  enabled  to  pursue  fish  to  agreat 
bill  clanger,  they  either  hide  among  the  reeds  or  dive  beneath  tlie  floating  water  plants,  where,  with  only 
avo  surface  they  he  concealed,  until  the  cause  of  their  alarm  has  subsided,  when  they  resume  their 
^‘ght  is  certain  seasons  they  migrate,  which  is  usually  performed  over  the  sea  near  the  coast ; and  the 
®^'^Ursion^'”'p.'^J  ^ certain  elevation,  and  then  it  is  rather  rapid,  and  can  be  sustained  for  a lengthened 
down  • occasionally  water  plants  form  their  subsistence.  The  nest  is  composed  of  grass,  lined 
thrp.,  / r usually  fixed  to  reeds  and  other  plants,  and  it  sometimes  floats  on  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  eves 
cee  to  four  in  number. 
established  this  genus  (Index  Ornithologic 
’^bieh 
synonymous. 
p.  7^0.).  Colymhis  of  Brisson  (1760),  and  Lophaithyia  of  M.  Kaup 
,ir,  r.e  nn  IT /lOCin\ J T\ H X.T..  *.1 
>ceu/>,ji„..  e nT  embraces  Dytes,  Proefopus,  Podeaithyia  of  Dr.  Kaup  (182.Q),  and  Dasyptilns  of  Mr.  Swainson  (18.S7),  with 
f'lumi.  ot  Mr.  belby  is  synonymous. 
