514 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



Immature birds, either of this or a nearly allied species, have 

 been sent me from Port Essington ; futm'e research alone will 

 enable us to say how far to the north the range of this species 

 may extend. It closely resembles the Fodiceps minor of 

 Europe, which however it exceeds in size, and from which it 

 may always be distinguished by the colouring of the throat 

 and sides of the face. 



The nest is a floating mass of weeds piled up in a rounded 

 form, the top being just level with the surface of the water ; 

 the eggs are four or five in number, of a dirty yellowish 

 white. 



The food consists of small fish, mollusca, and insects of 

 various kinds. 



The sexes differ but little either in size or colour. 



Crown of the head and nape of the neck deep blackish 

 brown, tinged with olive ; throat and sides of the face black ; 

 a mark of deep chestnut rises behind each eye and runs down 

 the side of the neck ; upper surface deep blackish brown ; 

 secondary wing-coverts tipped with white, forming a bar 

 across the wing ; lower part of the neck, chest, and under 

 surface silvery grey, merging into deep brown on the flanks ; 

 bill greenish grey, with a light ash-coloured spot at the 

 extreme tip of the upper mandible; sides of the upper 

 mandible, from the tip to near the nostrils, and the tip 

 of the lower mandible bluish grey ; base of both man- 

 dibles yellowish grey ; gape primrose-yellow ; irides lemon - 

 yellow ; inner side of the tarsi yellowish grey, passing into 

 greenish grey on the outer side and feet. 



In winter the markings of the head and neck disappear, 

 and are replaced by a uniform tint of brown, like the re- 

 mainder of the upper surface. 



Total length 10 inches; bill \\; wing 4^; tarsi 1^. 



