308 PEOCELLAR11D.E. 



363. Podicipes fluviatilis (Tunstall). The Little Grebe or 



Dabchick. 



Moorish. El ghotis (Favier). 



" This small Grebe is resident near Tangier, although to a great 

 extent migratory, passing north during April, and reappearing 

 from October to December. They are resident and especially 

 numerous at the lakes of Kas el Doura, where the Arabs, during 

 the breeding-season, in a great measure subsist on the eggs of 

 various aquatic birds, destroying a prodigious quantity." Favier. 



The Dabchick is resident in Andalucia, breeding abundantly 

 in some localities ; but is most common in winter ; and how they 

 reach the isolated patches of water, which are dry in summer, is 

 marvellous, as I never saw one on the wing. 



The Dabchick, in winter, is almost always to be seen on the 

 .inundation at the North Front of Gibraltar, taking no notice of 

 the numerous passers by. 



In summer. Chin black; cheeks, sides, and front of neck reddish chestnut. 

 In winter. Chin white, the reddish chestnut of neck replaced by brown ; 

 iris brown. Length 8-9 inches. 



Order TUBINARES. 



Family PROCELLARIIDJE. Nostrils in a tube. 

 Oceanic birds, seldom landing except to breed. 



364. Puffinus kuhli, Boie. The Cinereous Shearwater. 

 This species of Shearwater is abundant in the Straits, and is 



occasionally found dead on the shore. They nest about the 

 beginning of May, under rocks and stones on islands, and a 

 Shearwater is reported to breed at the back of the Eock. 



Head, nape, and back dull brown ; cheeks and chin grey ; below entirely 

 white. 



Bill yellowish, tips horn-colour ; legs flesh-colour (10th March). Length 

 18 inches. 



Puffinus gravis, likely to occur in the Straits, is similar in size, but lias 

 head and nape dark brown, forming a cap ; cheeks and chin white ; centre 

 of belly brownish. =P. major } auctorum. 



