878 
BIRD-LIFE. 
diving, in which manner it performs all functions needful 
to its existence. The land is in every way uncongenial 
to it, because its legs, which are placed so far back, 
oblige it to carry its body in a perpendicular position, 
and every step is a trouble to it. Just in an inverse 
ratio are its powers of swimming and diving, when 
compared with its walking capabilities. The Grebe can 
swim faster under the water than on the surface, and if 
not scared, submerges itself in the water without any 
noise, reappearing again equally silently. It can float as 
deep or as shallow as it likes, swim on its belly or on its 
side, as it may deem necessary. When threatened by 
danger the Grebe dives suddenly with a splash, and 
swims with such rapidity as easily to cover some two 
hundred feet in the space of half a minute : it makes for 
the centre of a sheet of water, where it remains diving 
until it considers itself safe again. When diving, the 
feathered horns and ruff are laid close to the head, so as 
to afford as little resistance to the water as possible. It 
takes wing with great reluctance, but flies with consider¬ 
able rapidity when once under way. This bird cannot 
rise from the ground, and on the water it runs flapping 
along the surface for some distance before it is able to 
take wing. When near the nest it will only rise 
after having been persistently pursued; but in the 
autumn it will rise from the water of its own accord, 
probably with a view of practising and strengthening its 
wings ready for the coming journey. The Great Crested 
Grebe is a noble-looking bird, when seen in the act of 
swimming: the neck is carried in an upright position, 
and often stretched out quite perpendicularly, the ruff 
being alternately contracted and expanded. Both birds 
swim close beside one another: when one dives, the 
