398 NATATORES. PODICEPS. GKKIJK. 



England, where a fresh specimen in this state never fell un- 

 der my observation. It does, however, breed (though in 

 small numbers) in the fenny districts of the eastern coun- 

 ties, but not, as far as I can ascertain, in Scotland, although 

 Dr FLEMING, in his History of British Animals, has given 

 it as resident there, and common. In the young state, or as 

 the Dusky Grebe of authors, it is by no means uncommon 

 upon our coasts during the winter months, where it inhabits 

 inlets and the mouths of rivers, and scarcely a season passes 

 without several of these and the young of the next species 

 being brought for my inspection. Its habits are similar to 

 those of the two preceding species, and it is equally active in 

 the water, whether in swimming or diving. It feeds on 



Food. shell-fish, crustacese, and insects ; and in its stomach, on dis- 

 section, is found the same sort of concreted mass of feathers 

 that has been before mentioned in the account of the Red- 

 necked Grebe, and which appear to be mostly taken from 



Nest, &c. the under parts of the body. It breeds among the reeds and 

 sedges, constructing a large nest of decayed vegetables, roots, 

 Sec., and which is calculated to rise and fall under the influ- 

 ence of the tide. In this it lays four or five eggs of a sul- 

 lied white, but according to TEMMINCK, spotted with brown. 

 In Europe, it is most plentiful towards the north-east, and is 

 also found in Northern Asia. It is a common species in 

 North America, and is described by Dr RICHARDSON as fre- 

 quenting every lake with grassy borders throughout the fur 

 countries. 



PLATE 74. Fig. 1. Represents the Adult Male, from a beau- 

 tiful British specimen kindly lent to me for the present 

 purpose by WILLIAM YARRELL, Esq. 



General Bill shorter than the head, compressed ; both mandibles 

 tion. nP ~ equally sloping to its point, black ; the base of the un- 



Adult bird. der mandible flesh-coloured, the extreme point greyish - 

 white. Lore lake-red. Irides crimson, with an inte- 

 rior ring of white. Forehead, crown, and large ruff 



