244 rODICiriNyE 



The other characters and the modes of life of these birds, 

 will be found in the account given, in the next pages, of the 

 genus Podiceps. 



SYNOPSIS OF TRE BRITISH GENERA AND SPECIES. 



GENUS I. PODICEPS. GREBE. 



Bill slender, much compressed, tapering, pointed ; tarsus 

 extremely compressed ; hind toe very small, with two lateral 

 lobes ; anterior toes long, obliquely flattened, the outer 

 longest, all with lateral expansions, and connected at the base 

 by webs ; claws small, depressed ; wings small, with eleven 

 small primaries ; tail a slight tuft of minute downy feathers ; 

 head and neck decorated with tufts or ruffs. 



1. Podi'cejjs cristatus. Crested Grche. About tAvo feet 

 in length ; the bill longer than the head, carmine-red, with the 

 tips yellowish-grey; a transverse occipital crest, with two more 

 elongated tufts, and a large ruff on the cheeks and fore-neck. 



2. Podiceps ruhricoUis. llcd-necued Grehe. About 

 eighteen inches long ; the bill an inch and two-thirds, black, 

 with the base yellow ; a short transverse occipital crest, with 

 two more elongated tufts, and a slight ruff on the cheeks and 

 fore-neck. 



o. Podiceps cornuhts. Horned Grehe. About fourteen 

 inches long ; the bill nearly an inch in length, much shorter 

 than the head, black, w ith the tips yellow ; two large occipital 

 tufts and an am])le ruff. 



4. Podiceps cmrifus. Eared Grehe. About thirteen 

 inches long ; the bill nearly an inch in length, much shorter 

 than the head, depressed at the base, black, tinged w ith blue ; 

 two slight occipital tufts, a short ruff, and a tuft of elongated 

 feathers behind each eye. 



GENUS II. SYLBEOCYCLUS. UABCHICK. 



Bill moderately stout, much compressed, tapering, pointed ; 

 tarsus extremely comj)ressed; hind too small, broadly mar- 



