. Zoology. Zoology. THE OULLS AND TERNS. 213 Fig. 250), is nearly or quite extinct, being nntil lately eon- fined to one or two inaccessible islets near Iceland, where it has been extinct since 1844, and to Labrador, though formerly it ranged from Cape Cod northward, a few sur- vivors having lived on the Fanks, an islet on the eastern coast of Newfoundland, within perhaps thirty years. The grebes have lobate feet, and the tail is a mere tuft of downy feathers. Tliey lay a greater number of eggs (6-8) than in other birds of this order. The nest is formed of matted vegetation, close to the water
. Zoology. Zoology. THE OULLS AND TERNS. 213 Fig. 250), is nearly or quite extinct, being nntil lately eon- fined to one or two inaccessible islets near Iceland, where it has been extinct since 1844, and to Labrador, though formerly it ranged from Cape Cod northward, a few sur- vivors having lived on the Fanks, an islet on the eastern coast of Newfoundland, within perhaps thirty years. The grebes have lobate feet, and the tail is a mere tuft of downy feathers. Tliey lay a greater number of eggs (6-8) than in other birds of this order. The nest is formed of matted vegetation, close to the water, or, as it is said, floating among aquatic plants. The young swim as soon as they are hatched. These birds inhabit the lakes and rivers of all parts of the earth. The pied-billed grebe [Podilymhus podiceps) is common in the United States in the winter. The loons are well known for their large size, flat bodies, long necks, and quickness in diving. They are migratory, and lay two or three eggs in rushes near the water's edge. Their voice is extremely loud and harsh. The great northern diver {Colymbus torquatus), which tenants our lakes and bays, is 2^-3 feet in length; it is black and white, the head and neck iridescent with violet and green; while the red-throated diver {0. sejitentrionalin) is smaller, with a large chestnut-i'ed patch on the throat. Order 2. Longijjennes (Long-winged swimmers).—The petrels, gulls, and terns represent this group. They have long, slender, compressed bills, long, sharp wings, immense powers of flight, and lay their eggs in rude nests on rocks or upon the ground. The petrels, or " Mother Carey's Chick- ens," belong to the genus Tlialassidroma, and are remarkal)le for their small size and slight bodies; they are ever on the. Fig. 251.—Roseate Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfe
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1897
