230 grehp:s and divers 



are dark brown, and the rest of the plumage is white. At all seasons 

 the beak has a crimson tip and the eye is also of that colour. 

 Immature birds resemble the adults in their winter-costume, with the 

 exception that the chicks are of a duller white and the flanks and 

 under-parts browner. The longitudinal stripes on the upper-parts of 

 the downy chick arc black and white ; the under surface of the bird 

 at this age being wholly white. 



The Sclavonian grebe nests in higher latitudes than either of the 

 preceding species, its breeding-range extending from Iceland across 

 northern Europe, where it reaches as far south as Denmark and 

 Siberia, and thence eastward across Canada ; but in Denmark the 

 species nests comparatively seldom. The winter-range of this bird 

 includes the south of Europe and the Mediterranean basin generally, 

 and in America extends as far south as Bermuda, although but few 

 individuals reach the latter islands. On the east coast of England 

 and on both sides of Scotland this bird, as already mentioned, is far 

 from uncommon, and it is by no means rare on the north and north- 

 western shores of Ireland ; but on the other portions of the Irish 

 coast, as well as on the western side of England, it is but seldom 

 seen. From 12 to 13^ ozs. is the weight of this bird, against from 

 2 lbs. I 2 ozs. to 3 lbs. in the case of the great grebe. 



From the accounts of those who have observed this grebe in its 

 Icelandic and other breeding-haunts, nothing specially noteworthy 

 appears to exist in regard to its mode of life, which is generally 

 similar to that of the other species. It may be mentioned, however, 

 that on one occasion when an observer was watching a female sitting 

 on its nest,i its partner endeavoured to frighten him away by rising 

 on a sudden from the water just in advance, splashing with its feet, 

 and crying loudly, the female also joining in the outcry. Indeed, so 

 persistent and aggressive was the bird that it actually permitted itself 

 to be taken in a butterfly-net. The eggs, of which there are generally 

 from two to four in a clutch, although occasionally, it is said, the 

 number may reach five, measure between just over i^ and a little 

 short of 2 inches in length, and arc indistinguishable from those of 

 other species with the same approximate dimensions. 



Black-necked I'^om the fact that the beak .shows a slight tendency 



Grebe (PodlclDes ^" '^" upward inclination, coupled with the some- 



nigricollis) what hairy appearance presented by the tufts on 



the head, which arc situated in the neighbourhood 



of the ear-holes, the black-necked or eared grebe has been made the 



