GREBE 157 



This bird is widely distributed, ranging from India, 

 China and Japan, through Egypt to South Africa. It 

 was found breeding by Anderson in Damaraland, and by 

 Lawrence at Lady Grey, Cape Colony. 



GREBE. 



There are three species of Grebe (Family Podicipedidce) 

 in South Africa, differing from one another considerably 

 in size. They are usually known to the Colonial as 

 " Divers." 



The Great Crested Grebe (Colymbus cristatus) is easily 

 recognisable by its large size (length 20 inches), a double 

 crest resembling the " ears " of an owl, and a thick ruff 

 of chestnut and black feathers on the upper neck. 



It is fairly abundant and generally distributed in the 

 sub-continent, inhabiting vleis, dams and similar localities. 

 Like the other members of the family, they are expert 

 divers, often travelling a hundred yards or so under 

 water. It also has the habit of often swimming deep 

 in the water, only the centre of the back, head and 

 neck, being visible. It feeds on molluscs, small fish, and 

 Crustacea also on aquatic plants. The nests are built on 

 the matted weeds growing in the water and reaching 

 only to the surface, where the nest practically floats. 

 Eggs, three in number, and of a greenish tinge when 

 fresh, but they become brownish when they have been 

 in the nest for some time. 



The Eared Grebe (Colymbus nigricollis) differs from 

 the Great Grebe in having the whole neck ashy-black 

 (the lower neck of the latter bird being silvery white), 

 by the bunch of hair-like bristles behind each eye, and by 

 its smaller size (length 12^ inches). 



