THE EAKED GREBE. 277 



The nest is in places similar to that of the former, and the 

 habits of the birds are nearly the same. The eggs are also 

 the same in number and colour till they are soiled by the feet 

 of the bird. 



THE EARED GREBE (Podiceps aUTltus). 



This is a smaller species than the former, being about two 

 inches shorter and three inches less in the expanse of the 

 wings. The most remarkable distinction between the two 

 species is in the form of the bill. The bill of this one appears 

 to turn upwards at the tip, in consequence of the upper man- 

 dible being very straight there, and the under one turning 

 much upward ; the culmen and tip are also much paler than 

 in the last species. The head, nape, and all the upper parts 

 sooty black, with some obscure brownish mottling on the 

 scapulars and upper part of the back ; the sides are chestnut 

 brown, and the under part glossy white. The coronal tufts 

 (ears) which rise from over and behind the eyes, and are 

 quite separated by the black on the head, are pale chestnut, 

 inclining to orange. The ruff, which is very short compared 

 with that on the other crested species, is dull chestnut 

 near the eye, and black at the extremity. The irides are 

 scarlet, and the streak from the gape to the eye crimson, at 

 least in the breeding season. The form of the bill, the colour 

 of the ear tufts, and the whole form of the head, give to this 

 species a look of fierceness which it does not show in its 

 habits. As is the case with most of the others, this species 

 is very generally distributed, at least over the northern 

 hemisphere ; but not very abundant in any place, and not 

 much seen unless looked for intentionally, and sometimes 

 not even then, though search be made not only in the places 

 where it is likely to be, but in those where it really is. 



