EARED GREBE. LITTLE GREBE. 22 1 



different years, were either after the continuance of snow or 

 frost, and in all instances were obtained in the inland lakes 

 and rivers. 

 Habitat Northern Europe. 



SPECIES 214 THE EARED GREBE. 

 Podiceps auritus. Selby. 

 Grebe oriellard. Temm. 



Dusky Grebe. 



THE elegantly formed eared grebe is almost of ecpial rarity 

 with the red-necked, having only been obtained in seven or 

 eight instances, two of which occurred in the attractive and 

 richly coloured plumage of the summer : one of these was 

 shot by C. Cottrel, Esq., on the Royal Canal, near Dublin, 

 in the month of June, 1847 ; it subsequently came into our 

 possession through the kindness of Mr. R. Glennon, to whom 

 that gentleman presented it. The contents of the stomach, 

 which we examined in company with Mr. Thompson, exhi- 

 bited a most beautiful appearance, and on comparison with 

 thirteen stomachs of different species examined at the same 

 time, the present one was entirely filled with the remains of 

 coleopterous insects, which glittered in the brightest manner 

 through the sand and feathers it contained ; at the time of 

 capture two large beetles were found in the throat. Its mo- 

 tions in the water were described by the shooter as both 

 graceful and elegant, diving with the utmost rapidity of mo- 

 tion, and remaining a considerable time beneath the surface. 

 Habitat Northern Europe. 



SPECIES 215 THE LITTLE GREBE. 



Podiceps minor. Jard. 

 Grebe castagneux. Temm. 



Dabchick. Black-chin Grebe. 



THIS little species, the smallest of the family, and the most 

 common in its occurrence, is a resident during all seasons, 

 frequenting pools near rivers, mill-ponds, and common on all 

 the lakes of the island. 



Attracting no attention by any elegance of form or colour- 

 ing, the little grebe is as unpretending as it is unobtrusive, 

 and from its aquatic life and the timidity of its habits is but 

 rarely noticed by the casual observer. 



Indifferent to locality during winter, it appears in Dublin 

 Bay either singly or in pairs, and ventures close to the 



