Perching Birds. Order XVII. Passeres 280 Cotingas. Family Cotingidæ 280 Tyrant Flycatchers. Family Tyrannidæ 280 Larks. Family Alaudidæ 297 Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc. Family Corvidæ 300 Starlings. Family Sturnidæ 314 Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. Family Icteridæ 314 Finches, Sparrows, etc. Family Fringillidæ 324 Tanagers. Family Tangaridæ 369 Swallows. Family Hirundinidæ 372 Waxwings. Family Bombycillidæ 375 Shrikes. Family Laniidæ 376 Vireos. Family Vireonidæ 378 Honey Creepers. Family Cœrebidæ 385 Warblers. Family Mniotiltidæ 385 Wagtails. Family Motacillidæ 418 Dippers. Family Cinclidæ 419 Wrens. Family Troglodytidæ 423 Thrashers, etc. Family Mimidæ 429 Creepers. Family Certhiidæ 430 Nuthatches. Family Sittidæ 431 Titmice. Family Paridæ 431 Warblers, Kinglets, Gnatcatchers. Family Sylviidæ 433 Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, etc. Family Turdidæ 442 Index 450 Page 9 [Illustration 011: BALTIMORE ORIOLE.] Page 10 THE BIRD BOOK DIVING BIRDS. Order I. PYGOPODES GREBES. Family COLYMBIDÆ Grebes are birds having a ducklike body, but with pointed bills. Their feet, too, are unlike those of the Ducks, each toe having its separate web, and having a broad flat nail. Their wings are very small for the size of the body, making it impossible for them to rise in flight from the land. They rise from the water by running a few yards along the surface until they have secured sufficient headway to allow them to launch themselves into the air. After having risen from the water their flight is very swift and strong. On land they are very awkward and can only progress by a series of awkward hops; they generally lie flat on their breasts, but occasionally stand up, supporting themselves upon their whole tarsus. Grebes, together with the Loons, are the most expert aquatic birds that we have, diving like a flash and swimming for an incredible distance under water. Page 11 1. WESTERN GREBE. _Aechmophorus occidentalis_.