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for the winter, and breeds in the 

 circumpolar regions. 



It has been taken in Fokien, and the 

 coast provinces northward, and David 

 reports it in western China. 



The note is a loud, wild, melancholy 

 cry, which has been spelled, " kakera, 

 kakera." 



Family, Podlcipedidae, The Grebes. 



Grebes have four toes, tipped with 

 a broad nail, and furnished with lobate 

 webs. They are mainly aquatic, rarely, 

 if ever, venturing on land, where they 

 are almost helpless. Grebes dive with 

 great rapidity, and often conceal 

 themselves by swimming with only the 

 tip of the bill above water. They feed 

 largely on fish, which are pursued and 

 caught under water. Unlike many 

 other water birds, they do not use the 

 wings in swimming, but depend entire- 

 ly on their feet. 



About 30 different species of Grebes 

 are recognized throughout the world. 

 China has four species, of which one is 

 resident in the Yangtse Valley, and 

 two others are winter visitants. 



EASTEEN LITTLE GREBE. 



COLTMBUS PHILIPPENSIS, BONN. 

 (Podiceps Minor.) 



Description. — Length nine and one 

 half inches. 



Bill, black with white tip, and 

 greenish yellow spots at the hinges. 

 Iris yellow. Legs blackish green. 



Crown, nape and back dark brown, 

 showing a greenish tinge in winter. 

 The sides of the head are rufous, the 

 chin is black in summer and white in 



