^82 



GREBE 



the Centropelma of Messrs. Sclater and Sahdn. Grebes are at once 

 distinguishable from all other Water-birds by their very short body, 

 and the peculiar structure of their feet, "which are not only placed 

 far behind, but have the tarsi flattened and elongated toes furnished 

 Avith broad lobes of skin. 



In Europe Ave have five Avell-marked species of Podicipes, the 

 commonest and smallest of Avhich is the Aery Avell-knoAvn Dabchick 

 of our ponds, P. fluviatilis or minor, found throughout the British 

 Islands, and Avith a Avide range in the Old "World. Next in size are 



Great Ckested Grebe. 



tAvo species knoAvn as the Eared and Horned Grebes, the former of 

 Avhich, P. nigricollis, is a visitor from the south, only occasionally 

 shewing itself in Britain, A\^hile the latter, P. (luritiis, has a more 

 northern i^ange, breeding plentifully in Iceland, and is a not un- 

 common Avinter- visitant. Then there is the larger Eed-necked 

 Grebe, P. grimgena, also a northern l)ird, and a native of the sub- 

 arctic parts of both Europe and America, Avhile lastly the Great 

 Crested Grebe, P. cristatus, or Gaunt — knoAvn as the Loon on the 

 meres and broads of East Anglia,^ and some other parts of England, 

 is also Avidely spread over both Worlds ; and, though apparently 



1 Cf. Stevenson and Soutliwell, Birds of Nor/oJl; iii. pp. 233-254. 



