366 



PYGOPODES. 



It has been described as a distinct species under the name of Podiceps 

 holbcelli (Reinhardt, Vidensk. Meddel. 1853, p. 76). The fact that 

 in 1783 the name of Colymbus major- (Boddaert, Tabl. Planches 

 Enluminees, p. 24, no. 404) was given to a Grebe now known as 

 JEchmophorus occidentalis, can scarcely be pleaded as a reason for 

 adopting Reinhardt's name instead of that given by Temminck and 

 Schlegel. 



372. PODICEPS NIGRICOLLIS. 



(BLACK-NECKED GREBE.) 



Podiceps nigricoUis, Brehm, Vog. DeutscU. p. 936 (1831). 



The Black-necked Grebe is easily recognized in breeding-dress by 

 its black throat and neck, and at all seasons by its slightly upturned 

 bill. It may also be recognized at all times by its having not only 

 white secondaries, but much white on many of the innermost 

 primaries. 



Figures : Gould, Birds of Great Britain, v. pi. 41 ; Dresser, Birds 

 of Europe, viii. pi. 632. 



The Black-necked or Eared Grebe is a common bird in Japanese 

 collections, but I cannot find any evidence that it breeds in Japan, 

 There are four examples in the Swinhoe collection from Hakodadi, 

 two in winter dress and two in summer plumage, the latter dated 

 April (Swinhoe, Ibis, 1874, p. 163). There are no fewer than 

 thirteen in the Fryer collection from Yokohama, five of them in 

 summer dress, but none of them dated. It has been obtained by 

 Mr. Ringer at Nagasaki, where the examples procured by the Siebold 

 Expedition were probably also obtained (Temminck and Schlegel, 

 Fauna Japonica, Aves, p. 123). 



The Black-necked Grebe has a wide range, but a very peculiar one. 

 It is a resident in South Africa and in the basin of the Mediterranean. 

 It is a summer visitor to Central Europe, Southern Russia, and 

 Southern Siberia ; but, although it winters on the Mekran coast and 

 on the coast of Scinde on the one side, and in China and Japan on 

 the other, it has not been recorded from any other part of India or 

 Burma. It is a somewhat rare visitor to the British Islands. 



It is represented on the American continent by a very closely 

 allied species, Podiceps californicus, from which it may prove to be 

 only subspecifically distinx;t. 



