GREBE 259 



greenish tinge when fresh, but they become brownish when 

 they have been in the nest for some time. 



The Eared Grebe {Golymbus nigricolUs) differs from the 

 Great Grebe in having the whole neck ashy black (the lower 

 neck of the latter bird being silvery white), by the bmich 

 of hair-like bristles behind each eye, and by its smaller size. 

 Length, 12| inches. 



It is not a common bird within our limits, but was found 

 breeding on Vogel Vlei about fifty miles from Cape Town by 

 Layard. 



The Cape Dabchick (Colymbus capensis) is the smallest 

 of the three, being only 10| inches in length, and has neither 

 a crest nor a ruff. 



It is common and general in distribution. It is a wonderful 

 diver, and is an active little bird in its proper element, viz. 

 water ; but is unable to walk on land, having to drag itself 

 along by the aid of its wings. It was found breeding in 

 large numbers at Ondonga (German South- West Africa), by 

 Andersson ; we took eggs near Grahamstown. These were 

 of a dirty cream colour, and of a pyriform-orate shape. 



