262 PODICEPS RUBRICOLLIS. 



Fortl), and it has been found in Northumberland by Mr. 

 Selby, in Slapton Ley in Devonsliire, and in various other 

 parts, but only in winter and spring, and in so far as I have 

 seen, only in the immature state. Dr. llichardson found it 

 very common in the fur countries of North America, and Mr. 

 Audubon met with it " from New York to Maine, in the 

 winter season, when old and yoimg were generally in about 

 equal numbers." I am not aware of any direct observations 

 tluit have been made respecting its habits, which, however, 

 judging from its size and form, may be infen'ed to be similar 

 to those of the Crested Grebe. INI. Temminck indeed states 

 that it " inhabits rivers, lakes, and the margins of the sea, 

 but in greater number on fresh Avater ; feeds on small fishes, 

 fry, reptiles, hard-winged insects, and plants." The sub- 

 stances which I have found in its stomach were remains of 

 fishes, green fibrous matter, apparently confervse, some par- 

 ticles of quartz, and a great quantity of feathers, either its 

 own, or of some other Grebe. According to the author above 

 mentioned, its nest is similar to that of the Crested Grebe, 

 and it lays three or four eggs of a whitish-green, appearing 

 as if soiled with yellowish and brown. One described by Mr. 

 Audubon was two inches in length, an inch and a quarter in 

 breadth, and of a uniform pale greenish-white. 



Young. — The young when newly fledged I have not seen. 

 In winter, Avhen they first appear on our coasts, they are as 

 follows : — There are two slight tufts on the occiput, and the 

 clieeks are rather full, but neither the crest nor the ruff are 

 distinct. The upper mandible is entirely yellow, Avith the 

 exception of a dusky streak on the ridge near the end ; the 

 lower mandible black, Avith the sides of the base yelloAV, and 

 the tip dusky horn-colour. The upper part of the head 

 blackish-grey ; the hind-neck dusky-grey ; the upper parts of 

 the body greyish-black, all the feathers edged Avith dull grey; 

 some of the humeral-coverts are Avhite, as are about tAvelve of 

 the secondary quills ; the throat and cheeks are Avhite, shaded 

 into grey ; the fore part and sides of the neck dull grey ; its 

 lower part beneath, with the breast silvery Avhite ; but the 

 sides of the loAver neck faintly streaked Avith dusky, and those 



