GREBE 261 



It feeds on molluscs, small fish, and Crustacea— also on 

 aquatic plants. The nests are built on the matted weeds 

 growing in the water and reaching only to the surface, where 

 the nest practically floats. Eggs, three in number, and of a 

 greenish tinge when fresh, but they become brownish when 

 they have been in the nest for some time. 



The Eared Grebe (Colymbus nigricollis) differs from the 

 Great Grebe in having the whole neck ashy- black (the lower 

 neck of the latter bird being silvery white), by the bunch 

 of hair-like bristles behind each eye, and by its smaller size. 

 Length, 12| inches. 



It is not a common bird within our limits, but was found 

 breeding on Vogel Vlei about fifty miles from Cape Town by 

 Layard. 



The Cape Dabchick {Colymbus capensis) is the smallest 

 of the three, being only 10| inches in length, and has neither 

 a crest nor a ruff. 



It is common and general in distribution. It is a wonderful 

 diver, and is an active little bird in its proper element, viz. 

 water ; but is unable to walk on land, having to drag itself 

 along by the aid of its wings. It was found breeding in 

 large numbers at Ondonga (South- West Africa), by Anders- 

 son ; we took eggs near Grahamstown. These were of a 

 dirty cream colour, and of a pyriform-ovate shape. 



