250 Order XVI. Pygopodes 



as on the coast in winter-time. It breeds in temperate 

 parts of the whole Palsearctic region. All Grebes being 

 similar in general habits, those of the present species 

 need not be given in detail ; but it should be noted that 

 it is an exceptionally wary Httle creature, diving at the 

 shortest notice and staying a considerable time under 

 water, or coming up only when it has reached the shelter 

 of the sedge- or reed-beds. Thus it often escapes 

 notice at its breeding haunts, unless many pairs are 

 nesting in company. The note is a shriU reiterated 

 " whit." The general colour is rather dark brown, 

 with whitish under parts and ruddy chestnut cheeks 

 and fore-neck. 



ORDER XVII. TUBINARBS 



The Petrel group is distinguished from all other birds 

 by the curious tubular nostrils, which lie exposed on 

 the top of the bill, connected as a general rule, but 

 widely separated in Albatroses. Moreover, we here find 

 the greatest capacity for long-enduring flight known in 

 the whole Class, though the Albatroses shew it to the 

 greatest advantage. The biU varies from small and 

 weak to immensely strong, the larger species having it 

 formed of separate plates and often sharply hooked. The 

 feet may be long or short, the front toes are fully webbed, 

 the hind toe is small or absent. The wings are almost 

 invariably long and pointed, the tail is moderate and 

 in some cases forked. The downy nestlings vary in 

 colour, but are often greyish white or brownish. Many 

 of the species are chiefly nocturnal and stay in their 

 holes during the day, but the Albatroses breed and live in 

 the open. Petrels when handled throwup an evil-smeUing 

 oil, and the single egg has a more or less musky odour. 



