4 



PLATE CCII. 



Iii a former Volume of this Work* will be found a figure of the 

 adult bird of this fpecies of Grebe ; and which, on due comparifon, 

 will appear to differ fo very confiderably from the youiv:; bird, that we 

 are induced to include the latter in the prefent continuation. This dif- 

 ference is indeed fo very material, that it could fcarcely be conceived 

 by a cafual obferver ; or by any one not attentive to the pi ogreflive 

 alterations which take place in the plumage of certain birds from their 

 early ftate till they arrive at full maturity. 



The defcription of the Great Grebe in the volume before men- 

 tioned contains fome notice of thefe variations manifeft ill the early 

 growth of that fpecies : it is faid there, that " at firft they are per- 

 fectly downy and ftriped, efpecially down the neck, with black; 

 after this, when about half grown, the ftripes on the neck are lefs 

 diftinft, being rather mottled than ftriped, and the under parts, though 

 white, are clouded with duflty ; at this period, a fullnefs round the 

 head is obferved : as the bird advances ftill further towards maturity, 

 the brown and white appear clear and diftiuft ; the head becomes 

 much tufted, and the horns are a little elongated. But we have great 

 reafon to believe that the young bird does not obtain the full and 

 perfect creft till the fecond year at leaft." 



The length of the bird we have reprefented is eighteen inches and a 

 quarter. 



* Vol. Til. Plate LXVIII. 



PLATE 



