THE GREBE. 
419 
Table XXX. (See page 23.) 
Order 6. Palmipedes. Tribe 4. Brevipennes. 
( Short-winged .) 
T HE characteristic feature of this, the last tribe of the last 
order of birds, is the extreme shortness of the wing, which, 
in many of them, prevents their flying to any distance, and, 
in some, partakes more of a fin than a feathered wing. Their 
legs are, moreover, placed far behind ; their plumage is close 
and glossy, so as to resist water ; all which peculiarities fit 
them for a more exclusively water life. It is divided into four 
genera: — 1. Grebes, or Divers; 2. Guillemots; 3. Auks, or 
Puffins; 4. Penguins. 
The Grebes, which take precedence in this list of the short- 
winged tribe, are the only birds whose habits lead them to 
pass comparatively peaceful lives, on the less agitated surfaces 
of our inland lakes and meres ; the others being all, more or 
less, sea-birds, whose dwelling-place, when on land, is on wild 
rocks, exposed to storm and tempest, of which they take no 
heed, defended as they are by a rich coat of glossy plumage, 
whose smooth and oily surface is impenetrable to water. 
The Grebes, though classed amongst the palmated or web- 
footed families, nevertheless, in some species at least, differ 
from them in one respect, — having only partial webs ; the 
toes being flattened and furnished with what is called lobes 
or membranes, like those of the Coot. They are unsocial 
solitary birds, seldom more than a pair being seen together ; 
and withal, so shy, that it requires all the address and skill of 
a keen sportsman to get within shot ; though the inexpe- 
rienced may think it an easy matter so to do, when he sees 
one of them apparently dozing within a few yards of the 
rushy confines of a pool of water. But the Grebe is neither 
sleeping nor off his guard ; as the gunner would know, were 
he near enough to watch the motions of the wary bird. He 
would then see its clear penetrating eye glancing in every 
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