nyf 



Plate XCV. 



CENTROPELMA MICPiOPTERUM. 



(LITTLE-WINGED GREBE). 



. Fodiceps micropterus . . . Gould, P.Z.S. 18GS, p. 220. 



Supra fusco-nigricans, plumis medaliter obscuriori'bus : crista capitis elongata et collo postico castaneis, plumarum 

 apicibus fuscescentibus : alis extiis nigricantibus, secundariorum apicibus angustis et pogoniis iuterioribus totis albis : 

 subtiis sericeo-album, fusco et rufescente perfusum, gula et collo autico pur4 albis : bypocbondriorum et uropygi^ 

 plumis ad basin albis, nigro terminatis et castaneo mixtis : tectricibus subalaribus albis : rostro, elongate, incurvo, 

 crassiusculo, rubricaiAi-corneo ; mandibula flavicante : tarsi scutellis posterioribus longe eminentibus et spinosis : long, 

 tota 15'0, alae 4'5, tarsi 2'0, rostri a rictu 1'9, digiti externi cum ungue 2-8, medii 2"6, int. 2'1. 

 fy^^ Sab. in lacu Titicaca, Amer. Merid, 



This very remarkable Grebe was discovered by Mr. David Forbes, F.E.S., on tbe Lake of 



Titicaca some years ago, and described by Mr. Gould at a meeting of tbe Zoological Society of 



London on tbe 26tb of Marcb, 1868. It was referred by Mr. Gould to Podice'ps^ but presents so 



many points of distinction from tbe known members of that group, that we have thought it right 



'ynn^l to re/// it to a new genus. 



' Mr. Forbes has favoured us with the following note on this bird. 



" I found this Grebe in great numbers on Lake Titicaca — especially on the lower portion 



q/' or Lake of Huaiui— it is seen in large flocks of three or four hundred each. On the 17th of 



' / ^^Ji 1862, when on the island of Piriti, I shot several specimens, amongst which were those 



brought home to this country. The Aymaras call the bird ' Quinocaya ' — its skin -sSHda. is much 



valued by the Bolivians and used for saddle-cloths — seven skins making one saddle-cloth. The 



bird is said to breed amono- the Tortoras — or laro-e reeds,which abound in the lake. 



" As^s^eJjTfted with this^rebe are usuMly seen frf^bes of a^^maller specif called; >Si?<^z«^ 

 ancu-efimother hM^-called Ja>*<j3^OT which Nobjained tliQ^gggf."* x_^' ^-^ A 



The general size of this bird is rather less than that of the well-known Poch'ceps cn'status of 

 Europe. The bill is rather shorter than in that species, less compressed, and generally broader 

 throughout, particularly at the sides of the base of the upper mandible. These project con- 

 siderably and leave a distinct groove between themselves and the gonys/in the interior extremity 

 of which the nasal openings are placed. The nostrils are thus situated relatively much farther 

 forward than in typical Podiceps. The commissure, instead of being straight as in P. cn'status, 

 is much incurved in the termmal portion of the bill. 



The wings of this Grebe, although perfectly formed, are remarkably diminutive, so as to 

 render the specific name which Mr. Gould has bestowed upon it particularly apposite. Although, 

 as we have already said, the bird is nearly of the size of P. cn'status^ the wings are hardly larger 



* TBesmaiIe^Gpsbel\^o(^wreps^?if5SJ^,tfiS>egg-«fpegfs^ 



[189] 



