Order XXIV. PYGOPODES. 



The last order of Indian birds to be described contains the 

 Grebes, with which the Loons or Divers (Colymbidce) are usually, 

 though not always, associated ; the latter are not represented in 

 India, being restricted to more northern regions. The Auks 

 (Alcidce\ originally comprised in the Pygopodes by Illiger, are now 

 by most ornithologists regarded as allies of the Gulls. 



In the present order the skull is schizognathous and holorhinal ; 

 the nostrils pervious ; basipterygoid processes wanting. Plumage 

 very short and dense ; an aftershaft is present, the feathering of 

 the neck is continuous, the wing is aquincubital ; the oil-gland 

 tufted. Caeca are present. Posterior border of sternum with one 

 incision on each side. Flexor tendons as in Anseres. 



The anterior proximal (cnemial) process of the tibia is greatly 

 developed, being very high and pyramidal ; the legs are situated 

 very far back ; the tarsus compressed. Bill straight and pointed. 



Family PODICIPEDID.E. 



All the front toes furnished with broad lateral lobes coalescing 

 .at the base and not contracted at the joints of the digits ; hind toe 

 raised and lobed, fourth toe longest ; nails broad and flattened. 

 Tail rudimentary or wanting. Cervical vertebrae 17 to 21; several 

 of the dorsal vertebrae anchylosed. Angle of lower jaw not 

 produced. Twelve primaries. Ambiens muscle wanting; accessory 

 femoro-caudal and semitendinosus present, but not the other 

 characteristic thigh-muscles. Only the left carotid is developed. 



Fig. 126. Left foot of Podicipes cristatus. -|. 



Nest a mass of floating herbage, usually amongst reeds ; eggs 

 white. The young are hatched covered with down, and able to 

 swim at once. All Grebes have a habit of eating their own 



