531 

 RED-NECKED GREBE. 



PODICEPS RUBRICOLLIS. 



Bill as long as the head, black, yellow at the base ; distance from the nostrils 

 to the tip eleven lines ; crest very short ; head and crest lustrous black ; 

 cheeks and throat mouse-colour; a black band along the nape; breast 

 bright rust-red ; lower parts white ; flanks spotted with dusky ; feet black, 

 greenish yellow beneath. Yoiing birds have the head, neck, and back, dusky : 

 throat, cheeks, breast, belly, and abdomen, silky white ; sides of the breast 

 spotted with grey. Length sixteen inches. Eggs dirty greenish white. 



The Red-necked Grebe is smaller than the Loon, from 

 which it differs also in wanting the elongated crest, in 

 having a more robust bill in proportion to its size, and 

 is further distinguished by the grey hue of its cheeks, on 

 account of w^hich last character it is known in France under 

 tlie name of Grebe Jou-gris. It is a native of the north- 

 eastern parts of Europe, and is known in the British Isles 

 only as a winter visitor. In habits it differs little from the 

 last described species, but is less common, occurring both 

 in fresh- water lakes and along the sea-coast. 



SCLAVONIAX GREBE. 



PODICEPS CORNUTDS. 



Bill strong, shorter than the head, compressed throughout its whole length 

 black with the tip red ; eyes with a double iris, the inner yellow, the outer 

 red ; distance from the nostrils to the tip of the bill six or seven lines ; head and 

 busily ruff glossy black ; two horn-like crests orange-red ; lore, neck, and 

 breast, bright chestnut ; upper plumage dusky ; secondaries and under parts 

 white ; bill black, rose-coloured at the base and red at the tip. Yoicng -Crest 

 and ruff wanting ; upper plumage and flanks dusky ash, under parts white ; 

 irides white, surroimded by red. Eggs dirty white. 



The Sclavonian, or Horned Grebe, approaches so closely 

 in habits to tiie two preceding species that it is unneces- 

 sary to say more than that it inhabits the northern parts 

 of America and Europe, visiting us only during winter, 

 and even then but rarely. Audubon describes its nest as 

 a rude structure of weeds, situated at a distance of about 

 twelve feet from the water's edge ; but other authors state 



51 jvi 2 



