I004 A'ESrS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



Neat. — Similar to that of P. novce Iiollandia, somewhat flat, and 

 composed of a floating mass of aquatic weeds submerged within an inch oi 

 two of the top of the water of swamps, &c. 



E(/ys. — Clutch, four to five, occasionally six; elliptical in shape; 

 textiu'e of shell fine ; surface glossy, and frequently rough with limy 

 nodules; colovu', a thin, dull white coating obsciu-es a gi-eenish-white 

 shell. As is usually the case with Grebes' eggs, they become dajker 

 and more polished as incubation proceeds. Dimensions in inches : 

 (1) 1-59 X 1-13, (2) 1-58 X 1-12, (3) 1-57 x Ml. 



Observations. — The Hoary-headed Grebe, commonly called Dabchick, 

 is a much smaller bird than the Tippet or Crested Grebe, being only 

 9 or 10 inches in total length, including 1 inch for the length of its 

 bill. Its plumage is brownish above, and beautiful silvcry-gi'ey beneath, 

 wliile its head is busliy and black, curiously ornamented wth lengthened 

 hair-like white plumes, hence the bird's vernacular name. Hoary-headed. 



Like the frill on the large Tippet Grebe, the long haii--like plumes 

 which adorn the face of tliis species are only domied diuing tlie breeding 

 time. When family responsibihties are over for the season, the head 

 becomes browner, and the wliite plumes disappear. 



Grebes usually prefer quiet inland waters, but Mr. Tom Carter, 

 Western Australia, tells me on one occasion, when coasting in a boat, 

 a Hoary-headed Grebe was secured at sea. The bird appeared injured 

 in some way, and was caught by one of his black boys diving after it. 

 The nearest fresh-water pool, Mr. Carter reckoned, was a hundred miles 

 distant. A distressing drought had been existing in the district for 

 abovit two years and a half, which may have accounted for the Httle 

 Grebe being found at sea. However, this bird has been found still further 

 at sea, near the same region. Mr. G. K. Beddoes, writing from the 

 Abrolhos Islands, which are about fifty miles oif the coast, states : 

 " Last winter (1897) there have been a great many small Water Hens 

 round the islands, something like the Dabchick. a little dark bird, 

 looking when swimming like a small duck, and a demon to dive. They 

 are quite strangers to us as far as I am aware. I have not seen any 

 for the past month, and think they must have cleared out again." 



Tlie breeding months for this species are from October to Januai-y. 



737. — PoDiciPEs CRISTATUS, Linueeus. — (665) 

 TIPPET GREBE. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii., pi. So. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxvi., p. 544. 



Previous Descriplions of Eggs. — Potts : Trans. New Zealand Inst., 



vol. ii., p. 74 (1870) ; Travers : Trans. New Zealand Inst., vol. 



iii., p. 113 (1S71) ; Buller : Birds of New Zealand (1S73), vol. ii., 



p. 286 (18S8); I.ucas: Victorian Naturalist (1884); North: 



.\ustn. Mus. Cat., p. 347 (1S89); and others. 



Gein/ifipliiral Disiritnti ion. — Australia in general and Ta.'iniania: 

 also New Zealand, Africa, Asia, Central and Rotitlurn Europe. 



