532 COLYMBID^. 



that though it constructs its nest of these materials, it dis- 

 poses it among weeds in such a way that it rises and falls 

 with every alteration in the level of the water. It lays 

 from live to seven eggs, and the male is supposed to assist 

 in the office of incubation. 



THE EAEED GREBE. 



PODICEPS AURITUS. 



Bill shorter than the head, black, depressed at the base, slightly cur\-ed u]i- 

 wards at the tip ; distance from nostrils to tij) six or seven lines ; head and 

 very short crest black ; above and behind each eye a tuft of loose reddish 

 chestnut feathers ; upper plumage and neck dark brown ; flanks dark chest- 

 nut, clouded with dusky ; under plumage white ; irides vermilion ; feet diisky 

 green. Female and young as in the last, but well distinguished by the form 

 of the bill. Length twelve inches. Eggs dirty yellowish white. 



The rarest of all the Grebes which inhabit or visit the 

 British Isles. It is considered to be a northern bird, 

 frequenting fresh water in preference to the sea, and to 

 visit us only in winter. 



THE LITTLE GREBE, OR DABCHICK. 



PODICEPS MINOR. 



Bill very short, shining, compressed; no crest or ruff; distance from nostrils 

 to tip of the bill five lines ; tarsus with a double row of serratures behind ; 

 head black ; cheeks bright chestnut ; breast and flanks dusky, mottled with 

 white ; upper parts dark brown, tinged with green ; primaries ash-brown ; 

 secondaries white at the base and on the inner web, under parts dusky ash, 

 tinged on the thighs with reddish ; bill black, whitish at the tip and base of 

 the lower mandible ; irides reddish brown ; feet externally gi-eenish brown,' 

 beneath flesh-colour. Yoxtng birds are ash-brown above, slightly tinged 

 with red; breast and flanks reddish white; belly pure white; bill brown 

 and yellowish ash. Length nearly ten inches. Eggs dirty white. 



The Lesser Grebe, or, as it is more commonly called, the 

 Dabchick, is the only species with which it is possible to 

 become familiarly acquainted in Britain. It frequents 

 rivers, ponds, and lakes, in all parts of the country, rarely- 

 flying, and still more rarely coming to land. 



Rambling by the side of a sluggish river, the sides of which 

 are lined with reeds or bulrushes, one may often descry, 

 paddling about with undecided motion, what appears to be 



I 



