394 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



eye backwards of a burnished golden-yellow colour ; wings with a slight 

 white alar bar ; uuderparts silky-white, the sides and flanks dark chestnut. 



Iris red ; bill blackish ; feet dull greenish-black. 



Total length 13 inches, wing 5, culmen 1, tarsus 1-50. 



Adult female similar, but rather smaller. 



In winter the adult has the crown, hind-neck and upper-parts dull 

 bi-ownish-black, the golden-yellow tufts wanting ; chin and sides of the head 

 dull white ; fore-neck dull brownish-grey ; breast and abdomen silvery- 

 white ; flanks and crissum washed with grey. 



Tills species is the most common of the Grebes in Tunisia, and 

 is to be found in considerable numbers in winter and on passage. 

 Although I have no actual knowledge of the fact, the species probably 

 breeds on the larger lakes of the north of the Regency, as it does 

 connuonly in the north of Algeria and Marocco. 



Throughout the colder months this Grebe may be met with, in 

 smaller or larger flocks, on all the northern coasts of Tunisia, and on 

 the lakes and lagoons adjoining the sea-coast. In the south of the 

 Regency it seems to be less abundant. 



The geographical distribution of P. nigricollis differs considerably 

 from that of the preceding species, for its range in Europe does not 

 extend further north than the British Isles, Sweden and Finland, 

 while it breeds generally throughout the greater part of the European 

 Continent, including Denmark, and is still more abundant in Nortli 

 Africa, ranging southward, and breeding, even as far as the Cape. 

 According to Mr. Gurney {Ibis, 1868, p. 263) specimens from South 

 Africa differ from the ordinary European bird in being rather smaller 

 in size, and in having a shorter bill and paler ear-tufts. In Asia, 

 P. nigricollis ranges across the temperate region as far east as Japan, 

 and southward to India. In America it is replaced by the closely 

 allied P. californicus. 



In its general habits, and in the localities it frequents, the present 

 species does not differ greatly from other Grebes, and like them, is shy, 

 swims well, and is particularly addicted to diving. It is perhaps more 

 given to diving than any of its congeners, and almost invariably has 

 recourse to this when seeking to elude pursuit or escape from danger. 

 It flies well and rapidly, however, and on land is less clumsy than 

 most other Grebes. 



Its food consists chiefly of small fish, insects and vegetable matter. 

 In spring and summer it utters a low and soft whistling note, but it 

 is a silent bird as a rule. 



