26 GREBE. 



behind and down under the wings ; the rest beneath glossy white, 

 like satin ; the back part of the thighs ferruginous brown ; legs 

 dusky on the outside, pale within ; toes pale down the middle, dusky 

 at the edges. 



The above was killed near Truro, the beginning of May, and 

 proved a male ; it seems to be no other than the Sclavonian Variety 

 of the Horned Grebe, which is found in North America ; it first 

 appears there in May, about fresh waters, and lays from two to four 

 white eggs, in June, among the aquatic plants ; and said to cover 

 them when absent from the nest; retires south in autumn; when it 

 appears at New York, staying there till spring, and then returns to 

 the north. For its vast quickness in diving, it is called the Water 

 Witch ; known at Hudson's Bay by the name Seekeep. There seems 

 to be some Variety among individuals of this species, which has 

 given rise to authors to mention them apart ; but we believe on our 

 further acquaintance with the subjects themselves, it will be found 

 that they have one and the same origin. It may be observed, that the 

 bill in the Eared Grebe is different from that of the Horned, or 

 Sclavonian ; for in the latter both mandibles meet in a conic point, 

 and both equally sloping ; but the former has the upper mandible 

 straight, and the lower only slopes at the point, giving the bill a 

 reflected appearance; besides, the plumage is very different; the 

 situation of the ears, or horns, as well as other particulars, equally 

 satisfactory. 



4. -DUSKY GREBE. 



Podiceps obscurus, hid. Orn. ii. 782. 

 Colymbus obscurus, Gm. Lin. i. 592. 



, minor, Bris. vi. 56. Id. 8vo. ii. 373. Klein, 150. 4. Fn. Helv. 



Le petit Grebe, Buf. viii. 232. PI. enl. 942. 



Der Dunkelbrauue Taucher, Bechst. Deuts. ii. 794. t. 26.— female. 



Black and white Dobchick, Edw. pi. 96. f. 1. 



