BIRDS — COLYMBIDAE — PODICEPS. 



891 



albino, being white, with the exception of light brownish ash markings on the wings and lower 

 part of the back. 



In this species there is great variation in the size of different individuals. The upper man- 

 dible is straight ; under, with the angle, very long, and sloping upwards to the point, giving a 

 recurved appearance to the bill, which is quite slender in form. 



Sub-Family PODICIPINAE.— The Grebes. 



Ch. — Bill generally long, compresaed on the sides, and pointed ; lores usually naked ; nostrils placed in a groove, oblong and 

 narrow. Wings short, the second quill longest, shorter than the scapulars The tail is represented by a tuft of downy feathers ; 

 tarsi much compressed end rather short ; toes long, the outer longest, broadly and evenly lobed, most so on the inner side ; claws 

 short, broad and obtuse; tarsi with plates on the sides, in front with a single, behind with a double longitudinal series of project- 

 ing scales. Toes and their lobes plated above. 



The plumage is very soft, and on the under surface silky. They are remarkably active on 

 the water, and when alarmed remain below the surface, exposing only the bill. 



The species of the genus vary considerably in form, giving rise to almost as many genera. Of 

 these, however, I shall adopt only the two following : 



1. PoDiCBPg. — Bill long and slender ; the head ornamented with ruffs and crests in spring ; 

 hind toe broadly lobed. 



2. PoDiLTMBUS. — Bill short, rather strong, and much compressed on the sides ; without orna- 

 mental ruffs ; hind toe moderately lobed. 



PODICEPS, Latham. 



Vodkeps, L4TH. Ind. Ornith. 1790, 780. Type Qolymbm eristatm, L. 

 Ch. — Bill long, slender, tapering, and pointed ; nostrils situated in a groove, small, linear, and pervious ; wings short and 

 narrow, second primary a little the longest, emarginate near the ends ; tail a tuft of loose feathers ; tarsi short, much com- 

 pressed, the edges covered with small scutellae and the sides with broad transverse soutellae ; toes long, the outer longest, 

 flattened, with the sides lobed, the most on the inner side, and at the base united by webs ; hind toe short and broadly lobed 

 claws small, depressed, and obtuse. 



These birds mostly frequent the fresh water rivers and interior lakes, but they are also found 

 near the sea-coast. They are very expert swimmers, but make progress with great difficulty on 

 land ; their flight is rapid and direct. In the breeding season the head is ornamented with 

 ruffs and elongated tufts, which disappear when they assume their winter garb. 



The species of this genus vary much in size. The characters given below will serve to de- 

 fine them. 



