SCLAVONIAN GREBE 



229 





Selavonian Grebe Like the preceding representative of the group, the 

 (Podieipes auritus) ^"^o^ned or Selavonian grebe is only a winter-visitor 

 to the British Islands, where, however, it is a far 

 less uncommon bird, being, in fact, on the east coast of England and 

 in Scotland the most abundant of all the larger grebes at that season. 

 On account of the relatively stouter and shorter beak, which is inferior 

 in length to the inner toe and its claw, this grebe is sometimes made 

 the type of a genus distinct 

 from the one in which the 

 two preceding species are 

 placed under the name of 

 Dytes auritus ; but little 

 seems to be gained by such 

 refinements in classification 

 and consequent complex- 

 ity in nomenclature. The 

 species is further character- 

 rised by the great develop- 

 ment of the ornamental 

 plumes on the head in the 

 summer-costume, the throat 

 carrying two lappet -like 

 appendages, while the head 

 is surmounted by a pair of 

 longitudinal crests. The 

 bird is also smaller than 

 either of the two last, 

 measuring only 1 3 inches 

 in length. In summer the 

 crown of the head and back 

 of the neck are black, but 

 from the base of the beak 



to the eye and thence backwards in the shape of a broad band the 

 feathers forming the aforesaid crests are yellowish chestnut ; the sides 

 of the face and throat are rich dark brown, this colour including the 

 elongated feathers of the lappet-like ruff; the front of the neck is chest- 

 nut ; the upper surface of the body dark brown, with the secondary 

 quills white ; while the under-parts are white with the usual satin-like 

 sheen, and the flanks dark brown blended with chestnut. In winter 

 the head-crests and ruff disappear, the upper portion of the head be- 

 comes dusk}% the back of the neck and the upper surface of the body 





SCLAVONIAN GKKBK 



