ZOOLOGY — BIEDS. 77 



Color. — The entire upper parts of a deep sooty brown, darkest and nearly black on the top of 

 head and back ; neck almost encircled with grayish white, and in front with an indistinct band 

 of grayish brown. Sides and flanks tinged with brownish gray. Under parts silky white, and 

 near the vent having a sullied appearance. Under wing coverts white. Some of the shorter 

 primaries of a cinereous brown, faintly tipped with white ; the secondaries white, of which a 

 few have their outer webs brown. Bill dark, tipped with lighter horn color. Feet dark green. 

 Length 12 inches. 



At first sight this bird appears very closely allied to the P. cornutus and P. auritus, but on 

 comparing them marked differences are at once perceived, both in size and form. I observed 

 this grebe on the inland fresh water ponds, as well as on the sea shore^ where it was abundant, 

 passing its time on the water in pursuit of insects and small fish, with which, on dissection, I 

 found its stomach filled. Having procured it only during the winter, I am unable to describe 

 its spring livery, and between the two seasons there is much difference of plumage in the birds 

 of this genus. 



PODYLYMBUS LINEATUS, H e e r m a n n .— Lineated Diver. 



Podylymbus lineatus, Heermann, Proceed. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phil. vol. VII, p. 



Form. — Size small. Bill short and strong ; nostrils conspicuous ; wings short ; second 

 primary longest ; secondaries short ; tertiaries longer than secondaries ; feet large. 



Color. — Entire upper parts dark reddish brown. A white line from base of upper mandible 

 under the eye, and running down the neck, succeeded by another under it of reddish brown. 

 Spots at the base of under mandible reddish brown. Throat white, marked with a few obscure 

 spots of reddish brown. Lower neck in front and upper part of breast pale reddish brown, with 

 which the sides and flanks are also tinged ; other under parts silky white ; the lower portion of 

 abdomen and vent mouse color. Quills dark cinereous ; secondaries tipped with white. Bill 

 horn color ; feet black. Length 11 inches. 



This bird is found on the fresh water courses and marshy lakes of California throughout the 

 year, having procured it during the winter and discovered the nest in those localities during 

 the summer. The nest, composed of a few loose straws or rushes, is placed on the ground near 

 the edge of the water, and contains four eggs of a dirty white color. 



