PODICIPID^. 347 



Podiceps nigricottis, Gurney, in Ibis, 1868, p. 263, & 1869, p. 303. 

 Proctoptts nigricollis, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No, 10763. 



The only locality in Damara Land in which I have met 

 with this species is Walwich Bay, where, however, it is 

 a rare bird. 



[I liave not seen a Damara-Land example of this Grebe ; biit 

 Mr. Andersson's portfolio contained an excellent drawing, by 

 Mr. Baines, of a specimen, partially in breeding-dress, ■which 

 was obtained at Walwich Bay on November 8th. 



In this, as in the preceding species, South-African examples 

 are smaller than most of those from various localities north of 

 the tropics; and some particulars illustrating this fact will be 

 found in 'The Ibis' [loc. ciif.).— Ed.J 



400. Podiceps minor, Linn. British Little Grebe. 



Podiceps minor, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 392. 



„ „ Strickland & Sclater, Bii'ds Damar., Gontr. Orn. 



1862, p. 160. 

 „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 693. 



„ „ Finscb & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 811. 



I have repeatedly shot this diminutive Grebe at Lake 

 Ngami, Otjikoto, Omanbonde, and Walwich Bay, but 

 have nowhere found it abundant except in the vleys 

 of the Ondonga country, where it breeds in vast 

 numbers. 



Its eggs are from four to six in number and of a dirty 

 white. The nest is a mass of weeds and grasses, and 

 lies on the water. The eggs are always found covered 

 over, often several inches deep. Out of the numerous 

 nests I have taken and seen, in no one instance (except 

 where the nest contained only one or two eggs) did I 

 find the eggs uncovered ; and the covering is so complete 

 and regular that it is not possible that it can be the 



