PLATE III. 



FAMILY PODICIPID.E. 



IN common with all extensive countries, Australia possesses several varieties of the Grebe, and in the 

 still, sedgy lagoons of the interior the}' are to be met with in most parts of the continent. With 

 their pretty colouring and curious manner of nesting, the Podieipidce are always an interesting feature in 

 a typical Australian scene. 



GENUS PODICEPS (Latham). 



THREE varieties of this genus are found in Australia, and kindred species inhabit Europe and 

 America. 



PODICEPS GULABIS (Gould.) 



BLACK-THROATED (IREBE. Genus: Podiceps. 



FURTHER observation may possibly establish the fact that this species inhabits the m'ore northern 



portions of Australia ; Gould records having received specimens of this, or some closely allied species, 

 from Port Essington. 



The Black-throated Grebe frequents the lagoons and rivers all over the southern parts of 

 Australia. 



Four or five eggs are laid in one nest : they are of a dull white colour, and the nest consists 



of floating weeds piled up in a circular form, with the top just reaching to the surface of the water. 



Insects obtained in the water, and small fish, constitute the food. 



The sexes show little or no variation in colour or size. 



Crown of the head, nape, and the rest of the upper surfaces, deep purplish brown ; throat and 

 sides of the face a deeper tinge of the same shade. From underneath each eye, a band of deep chestnut 

 runs, the two strips meeting in a point in the middle of the throat. Two elongated yellow spots are 

 situated at the root of the bill. Under surface, grey, merging into brown at the sides of the abdomen ; 

 hides, yellow ; bill grey, the tip of the upper mandible a lighter grey ; tarsi, pale yellow, with a greenish 

 shade on the outer side ; feet, greenish grey. 



The variegated colours of the head and neck disappear in winter, fading into the same brown 

 shade as the rest of the upper surfaces. 



Length, 10 inches; bill, 1{ inch; wing, 4^; tarsi, 1^ inch. 



Habitats : All over Southern Australia, and many of the more northern parts. 



