PODICEPS AUSTRALIS. 



(Australiaii Tippet Grebe.) 



F0REHEA.D and crown, dark greyish brown ; the crest, which stands out behind, is divided into two parts, and of a darker color ; lores, 

 throat, and cheeks, white, blending into ferruginous downwards and behind, and forming a ruff nearly round the neck, which, with the crest, 

 is erectable at pleasure ; the tippet is edged with dark brown ; neck, glossy white in front and sides, brown behind ; all the under surface, 

 glossy white ; back, brownish grey, sometimes tinged with ferruginous, and showing greenish reflexions on the darker parts ; wing coverts, 

 light brown, washed with grey ; greater coverts and primaries, blackish brown ; secondaries, white, forming a band across the wing ; tail (very 

 short), dark brownish black; irides, light scarlet; bill, crimson, blackish on the culmen; legs and feet, blackish olive — the scales in front 

 tinged with buff. 



Length, 23 inches ; wing, 8 ; bill, 2| ; tarsus, 2i. 



The sexes are much alike, the female being the smallest. 



This species has been found for the most part in the south-eastern and southern colonies of Australia, and more recentlv in 

 Queensland. The fine specimen from which my figure is taken was shot near Brisbane ; and there can be little doubt that, as our knowledge 

 is extended, this bird wdll be found in every portion of Australia, as it is more than probable that, like many other birds hitherto supposed to 

 be exclusively Australian, it will be ascertained to have a much greater range of habitat, and in the present instance to be only a mere variety 

 of the Podiceps Cristatus found in so many parts of the world. In its habits and economy it assimilates in all respects. The situations 

 frequented by this species are lagoons, rivers, creeks, and arms of the sea, especially where rushes, reeds, and other water plants are plentiful. 

 The Tippet Grrebe can fly very well, and for a considerable distance, and its swimming and diving powers are amazing. It frequently only 

 raises its head above the surface of the water to take breath, hence the difficulty of shooting it. The legs being situated so far behind, 

 preclude its w^alking with ease, and its attitude is in consequence nearly upright. Its food consists of almost every animated thing obtainable 

 in the water : fish, frogs, small Crustacea, insects, etc., and vegetable matter, has been found in the stomach. The nest will prove the same as 

 that of P. Cristatus, which is described as being made very carelessly— a mere mass of reeds, flags, or other vegetable substances, partly 

 under and partly above the water, the upper surface hollowed to contain the eggs, which are from three to flve in number, and of a greenish 

 white. During the absence of the birds they are carefully concealed by vegetable debris, such as fragments of rushes, etc. 



