Birds of Britain 



centre of the open water, its long neck and low flat back 

 enabling it to be easily recognised. 



It flies well and strongly, appearing when on the wing 

 rather like a Duck. 



In winter it is dark brown above and white below, 

 but in spring it assumes a chestnut tippet which surrounds 

 the face ; the crown of the head is dark brown, the cheeks 

 and a stripe over the eye white. 



The female is rather duller but otherwise resembles the 

 male. The young in their first plumage are much like the 

 adults in winter. Length 21 in. ; wing 7'5 in. 



THE RED-NECKED GREBE 



Podicipes griseigena (Boddaert) 



On the east coast of England this species is not un- 

 common during the winter months, and in some seasons 

 becomes quite abundant. Elsewhere in our area it is 

 decidedly rare, and not more than five or six examples are 

 recorded from Ireland. It is plentiful in the south of 

 Scandinavia, the Baltic, and North Russia, whence it migrates 

 southwards throughout Europe in the winter. In habits 

 and food it does not appreciably differ from the preceding 

 species. 



The crown and nape are blackish, upper parts dark 

 brown with a white patch on the secondaries. 



Cheeks, chin, and throat grey ; neck rich chestnut red ; 

 rest of under parts white. Length 18 in. ; wing 7 in. 



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