400 NATATORES. PODICEPS. GREBE. 



THIS species, so nearly resembling the preceding one in 

 its various states of plumage, is also in its adult and perfect 

 garb a rare British bird, the few that occasionally breed here 

 being confined to the fenny districts and to the grassy pools 

 of the eastern counties of England. In winter I have fre- 

 quently met with it in the young state on the Northumbrian 

 coast, where it is confounded with the young of the preced- 

 ing species, and both are indiscriminately called the Dusky 

 Grebe. In the disposition and colours of the plumage, 

 scarcely any difference exists between them, but the white 

 of the cheeks and throat of the present bird does not extend 

 quite so far backward towards the occiput, as in the other. 

 The form of the bill, however, is always a sufficient point of 

 distinction between the two, being depressed at the base, 

 and rather turning upwards in Podiceps auritus, whilst in 

 P. cornutus it is compressed and strait throughout its 

 length, both mandibles being equally and gradually inclined 

 towards the tip, and forming a cone. In the adult plumage 

 the disposition and colours of the auricular tufts and ruff, 

 render the difference between the two birds rather more 

 marked. In point of size it is also rather less than P. cor- 

 nutus, more particularly in individuals arrived at maturity. 

 Its habits, food, and nidification, are so similar to the prece- 

 ding species, as to render further description unnecessary. 

 It lays four or five eggs, of a tarnished or greenish-white, 

 and nearly equal in size to those of the Land Rail. The 

 Eared Grebe is a common species in the northern parts of 

 Europe, inhabiting the lakes, rivers, and pools, wherever 

 aquatic herbage is abundant. 



PLATE 74. Fig. 3. Represents the adult bird, from a speci- 

 men in the Museum of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 

 General Bill black, about an inch in length, measured from the 

 forehead ; depressed at the base, and having the tip 

 slightly reflected. Lore blackish-red. Irides vermi- 

 lion-red. Crown of the head, and short ruff round the 



