643 



gape 2-6 to 3-10, tarsus 2'35 to 2/6, middle toe with claw 2-8 to 3'05. Two adult birds from 

 North-west America, however, in the British Museum, are rather smaller than those measured 

 by Dr. Coues; for I find that they have the gape only 2-35 and 2 # 45 inches, the tarsus 2*2 and 

 2-3, and the middle toe with claw 2*7 and 2 - 8 ; and all that can be said of them is that they are 

 large-billed varieties of the present species. 



This large-billed form appears to extend over Asia and North America generally. Examples 

 I have examined from Erzeroom have the bills as small as in others from Western Europe ; but 

 in Turkestan, according to Dr. Severtzoff, both the large-billed and small-billed forms are found ; 

 they are not, however, common there. It does not occur in India or China, but is met with in 

 Siberia and Japan. Von Middendorff does not include this Grebe ; but Dr. Radde met with it 

 at Kulussutajeffsk, where it arrives about the 2nd (14th) May ; and Von Schrenck states that it 

 certainly occurs throughout the Amoor country, as Mr. Maack obtained it both on the Upper 

 and Lower Amoor. He gives a table of measurements, showing that examples from the Amoor, 

 Japan, and Kamtschatka are larger in size than the bird found in Europe proper. 



In North America this Grebe inhabits the fur-countries, and in the Atlantic States as far 

 south as Pennsylvania in winter, being found both on the east and west sides of the continent. 

 I find it recorded from many parts of Canada, New Brunswick, and the Atlantic States. Mr. C. H. 

 Merriam writes (B. of Connect, p. 137): — "It is a rather rare winter visitant in Connecticut; 

 Captain Brooks says that he has not seen one for years. It occurs both on fresh and salt water. 

 Linsley took it at Stratford ; Mr. J. H. Sage has a specimen which he took at Saybrook, Conn., 

 on the 23rd February 1875; Dr. Wood has a very handsome specimen, in full plumage, shot 

 near East Windsor some years ago ; and I am informed by Dr. Cary, of Hartford, Conn., that 

 one was shot in that vicinity by Jerry Crocker on the 19th October 1860." With regard to its 

 occurrence in North-western America, I find that Mr. Dall says it was not uncommon at St. 

 Michael's, Alaska, and on the marshes on the river up to Fort Yukon, where Mr. Kennicott 

 obtained the eggs. Bischoff also procured it at Sitka. 



In South America there is another tolerably closely allied but fairly separated species, 

 Podiceps major, which differs in having a very much longer and stouter bill, and more white on 

 the wing ; the grey on the throat and cheeks is much darker, and gradually merges into the 

 dark colour on the crown, there being no white margin to that grey as in Podiceps griseigena. 



This Grebe, like the Great Crested Grebe, frequents chiefly inland sheets of water, only 

 visiting rivers and the sea-coast during passage, and but for a short time. It differs, however, 

 from that species in its preference for smaller sheets of water ; and instead of frequenting large 

 open places, it prefers those where there is plenty of aquatic herbage, amongst which it can seek 

 refuge when disturbed ; but at the same time it is less seldom found amongst the reeds and rushes 

 than its smaller allies. It is generally to be seen swimming or diving, and spends the major por- 

 tion of its existence in the water, being an expert diver and quick swimmer, though in both these 

 respects it does not come up to Podiceps cristatus. It is, however, lighter and quicker in some of 

 its movements than that species, it takes wing far more easily, and flies more swiftly and lightly, 

 and will not unfrequently fly off at once on being disturbed, instead of seeking safety by diving. 

 On land it is extremely awkward ; and though it can walk upright, it does so unwillingly, and only 

 for a short distance, and when resting on land it reclines on its stomach like a Diver. 



