The Grebes. 



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The Grebes.— or*r Podicipedidiformes. 



These birds are closely related to the Divers, but can be distinguished from them 

 by their lobed toes, and by the apparent absence of a tail, which is represented by a 

 little tuft of feathers scarcely to be dissociated from the feathers of the rump. 



In this species and 



the succeeding one the 



ornamental tippets are 



developed in both sexes 



during the breedmg-sea- 



son, and the bill is long 



and pointed, e.xceeding the length of the 



inner toe and claw. It is the largest of the 



British Grebes (wing 7-2 inches I, and has 



a red bill and a white face. In winter 



plumage, when the tippets have been cast 



and the head is like the back, the present 



species may be recognised by its white lores 



and eyebrow. 



This species is found nesting in many parts of England and as far north as the 



Clyde, as well as in several counties of Ireland. It occurs nearly everywhere in the 



15 



