General 
descrip- 
tion. 
400 NATATORES. PODICEPS. GREBE. 
Ts species, so nearly resembling the preceding one in 
its various states of plumage, is also in its adult and perfect 
garb a rare British bird, the few that occasionally breed here 
being confined to the fenny districts and to the grassy pools 
of the eastern counties of England. In winter I have fre- 
quently met with it in the young state on the Northumbrian 
coast, where it is confounded with the young of the preced- 
ing species, and both are indiscriminately called the Dusky 
Grebe. In the disposition and colours of the plumage, 
scarcely any difference exists between them, but the white 
of the cheeks and throat of the present bird does not extend 
quite so far backward towards the occiput, as in the other. 
he form of the bill, however, is always a sufficient point of 
distinction between the two, being depressed at the base, 
and rather turning upwards in Podiceps auritus, whilst in 
P. cornutus it is compressed and strait throughout ‘its 
length, both mandibles being equally and gradually inclined 
towards the tip, and forming a cone. In the adult plumage 
the disposition and colours of the auricular tufts and ruff, 
render the difference between the two birds rather more 
marked. In point of size it is also rather less than P. cor- 
nutus, more particularly in individuals arrived at maturity. 
Its habits, food, and nidification, are so similar to the prece- 
ding species, as to render further description unnecessary. 
It lays four or five eggs, of a tarnished or greenish-white, 
and nearly equal in size to those of the Land Rail. The 
Eared Grebe is a common species in the northern parts of 
Europe, inhabiting the lakes, rivers, and pools, wherever 
aquatic herbage is abundant. 
Piate 74. Fig. 3. Represents the adult bird, from a speci- 
men in the Museum of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 
Bill black, about an inch in length, measured from the 
forehead ; depressed at the base, and having the tip 
slightly reflected. Lore blackish-red. Irides vermi- 
lion-red. Crown of the head, and short ruff round the 
