454 BRITISH BIRDS. 



radically bad, and no true ornithologist should miss any opportunity of 

 violating them on every possible occasion, and heaping upon them the ridi- 

 cule, the abuse, and the contempt which they so richly deserve. The most 

 extraordinary fact connected with their retrogade step is that the very men 

 who have bound themselves by the fetters of this code, and made themselves 

 slaves to such ill-considered rules, are the pioneers of modern ornithological 

 science, who have only recently freed themselves from the bondage of the 

 Binomial System ! 



The genus Podiceps contains about sixteen species, which are distributed 

 throughout the temperate and subtropical portions of both hemispheres. 

 Five species are European, two of which breed in the British Islands, whilst 

 the other three only are winter visitors. 



The following key is sufficient to distinguish any species of British 

 Grebe of either sex in nuptial plumage : — 



Gkeat Cbested Grebe ^ 



Ear-coverts chestnut, 

 f Little Grebe 



Fore neck chestnut <^ Red-necked Grebe. 



1. ScLAVONiAN Grebe. . . . 



Black-necked Grebe . 



Ear-coverts black. 



In winter plumage they may be distinguished as follows : — 



Lores and stripe over eye white . . Great Crested Grebe 1 



> Wing 6'4 inch or raoro. 

 Red-necked Grebe . . ) 



IScLAVONiAN Grebe. 

 I White extending on pri- 

 Black-necked Grebe . j maries as well as secon- 

 ' daries ; bill recurved. 

 Win"- 4 inches or less Little Grebe. 



