160 MISCELLANEOUS BIRDS. 



Besides this species, the black tern (S. Icmcoptera) has also been 

 recorded, and I have often seen the lesser tern (S. sinensis). Then 

 there are the common laughing gull (Laius ridibundus) the pink-legged 

 herring gull (L. cacJiinuns) and the thick -billed gull (L. crassirostris) 

 specimens of which I have recently secured in the vicinity of Tientsin. 



The albatross (Dioincdea albdtnis) has also been secuied in Chinese 

 Seas, and I have seen what I suspect of being the smaller sooty alba- 

 tross (D. nigripes). 



Lastly we come to the grebes, of which the most uncommon is the 

 great-crested grebe {Podiceps cristatus). The shape and build of this 

 bird have become very much modified, so that it is pre-eminently 

 adapted to swimming both on and under the surface of the ponds and 

 lakes where it makes its home. The most striking feature is the head, 

 which, with the hornlike tufts and broad fringe or beard, gives the bird 

 a most grotesque appearance. On this account the Chinese call it 

 " Lung tou " {Dragon head). Its wings are so small that 

 it is only by beating tihem very rapidly that it can fly. 

 This difficulty in flying causes it to leave the water with 

 great reluctance. When frightened it dives and swims under water 

 for considerable distances. The feet are unique, having the appearance 

 of a three-lobed leaf. The toes are so arranged as to fold up like the 

 ribs of a fan as the foot is drawn up after each stroke, thus offering 

 the minimum resistance to tlie water. 



Anotlier species of grebe is to be found, namely the dabcliict or 

 little grebe (P. philippcnsis). This pretty little bird is to be found every- 

 where, and when other birds have passed on northward it may still be 

 seen disporting on the lake surfaces or busily searehiing for food amongst 

 the reeds. Grebes, like the coots and moorhens, build their nests upon 

 the surface of the waters, anchoring them to some staple object such as 

 reeds or the half submerged limbs of trees. Tlie mother, on going to 

 feed, always covers up the eggs, when the nest is indistinguishable 

 from any other mass of floating debris. A comparatively large brood of 

 chicks is usually reared. 



A' third species also occurs. It is about the same size as the last, 

 but the male is of a jet black colour, with white breast and a chestnut 

 tuft on either side of the head. Its scientific name is 

 Podiceps riificollis. 



