306 BIRDS. PINNATIPEDES. 



dible subulate ; nostrils basal, lateral, oval, prominent, sur- 

 rounded by a membrane ; legs middle-sized, slender, tarsi 

 compressed ; the anterior toes connected to the first articula- 

 tion, and the rest of their length furnished with scalloped 

 and serrated membranes ; the hind toe without a membrane. 



The few species which belong to this genus are among the smallest of swimming 

 birds, and flit over the waves with much grace and nimbleness. On land they run 

 heavily. They are often observed at a great distance from the shore ; and they 

 principally subsist on small insects and marine worms, which they pick up on the 

 surface or margin of the water. Like the sea-fowls, they have their body fur- 

 nished with down, and their plumage thick-set and glossy. 



* Bill slender, depressed at the base, subulate at the point. 



P. hyperboreus, Lath. Red Phalarope. Top of the head, nape, 

 sides of the breast, space between the eye and bill deep cinereous ; 

 lateral parts and front of the neck bright red ; throat, middle of 

 the breast, and lower parts white ; flanks with ash-coloured spots ; 

 back, scapulars, wing-coverts, and two middle feathers of the tail 

 black. 7 inches long. Inhabits Europe. B Shaw, xii. pi. 21. 

 This is the type of Cuvier's genus LoUpes. 



** Bill depressed through its whole length, compressed at the point. 



P.platyrhynchus,Tem. (P. lobatns, glacialis, Lath. P. rufus, Bechst. 

 Tringa hyperborea, glacialis, Gmel.) Gray Phalarope. Plu- 

 mage cinereous above, with a black band on the nape ; a trans- 

 verse white band on the wings ; bill broad, depressed, flattened 

 at the base ; tail long, and much rounded. 8 inches long. In- 

 habits Europe. B Shaw, xii. pi. 20. 



Cuvier forms of this species his genus PJialaropus. 



Gen. 4. PODICEPS, Lath. Colymbus, Gmel. 



Bill middle-sized, straight, hard, compressed, in the form of 

 an elongated and pointed cone ; tip of the upper mandible 

 slightly inclined ; nostrils lateral, concave, oblong, closed 

 behind by a membrane, open in front, and pervious ; legs 

 long, placed far backwards ; tarsi much compressed ; fore toes 

 much depressed, connected at their base, and furnished with 

 a simple lobe ; hind toe compressed and scalloped ; claws 

 broad, much depressed ; no tail ; wings short. 



All the Grebes have the under parts of their body, and especially the breast, cover- 

 ed with a very compact and glossy down. They dive, swim rapidly even un- 

 der water, and pursue fish to a considerable depth. On land their motions are 

 awkward, owing to the conformation of their legs. They alike frequent the sea and 

 the fresh waters ; and fishermen sometimes catch them in their nets even at the 

 depth of twenty feet The males and females seldom exhibit any very marked dif- 

 ferences of appearance. 



P. cristatus, Lath. Crested Grebe. Top of the head, flat occipi- 

 tal tuft, and ruff on the cheeks black, shading to red on the 

 sides of the head ; under parts silvery white ; bill longer than 

 the head, reddish, the point white ; distance from the anterior 

 margin of the nostrils to the point of the bill 17 or 18 lines. 18 

 inches long. Inhabits Europe. B Pcnn. Brit, Zool. ii. 130. 



