356 
COLYMBINiE. PODICEPS. 
with a double row of small prominent scales ; toes four, first 
very small, with a posterior membrane, fourth longest, all 
scutellate, the anterior connected at the base by membranes, 
and having on both sides an expanded web-like margin, 
marked with oblique lines. Claws flat, that of the third toe 
broadest. Plumage very soft and blended, on the lower 
parts dusky. Wings small acute, curved, the second pri- 
mary longest, the first little shorter ; secondaries short and 
rounded. Tail a slight tuft of loose feathers, fourteen in 
number. Tongue slender, trigonal, pointed ; oesophagus of 
moderate width ; proventriculus very large, ovate ; stomach 
extremely large, roundish, its muscular coat thin ; the epi- 
thelium thick, soft, rugous ; a small pyloric sac ; intestine of 
moderate length and width ; coeca rather long, slender ; 
cloaca very large, globular, Bronchi with the rings entire 
and ossified, 
487. 1. Podiceps cristatus. Lath. Crested Grebe. 
Plate CCXCII. Male and Female. 
Male with the bill about the length of the head, rather slender^ 
blackish-brown, tinged with carmine ; feet greenish-black, tinged with 
greyish-blue ,* tail of fourteen feathers ; two tufts of elongated feathers 
on the occiput, and a large frill on the sides and anterior part of the 
neck ; upper part of head and tufts greyish-black, tinged with green, 
as is the hind part of the ruff, its anterior part being brownish- red ; 
sides of the head and throat white; fore neck white, tinged with 
brown ; breast silvery- white, sides reddish-brown, with dusky streaks ; 
upper parts brownish-black, the feathers edged with lighter, the sides 
of the neck tinged with reddish, as is the rump ; wing-coverts greyish- 
brown ; primary quills brownish-black, middle secondaries, inner webs 
of their coverts, and outer webs of outer scapulars, white. Female 
with the occipital feathers a little elongated, but without the ruff ; bill 
dusky green, upper part of head and hind neck blackish-grey ; back 
and wings as in the male, but more tinged with grey; lower parts sil- 
very-white, the sides dusky. 
MalCy 24 , 83 . 
Not uncommon during autumn and early spring on all the larger 
streams of the Western Country, as well as on the coast of the Atlan- 
tic, from Nova Scotia to Texas. Breeds in the mountainous parts of 
the Fur Countries, Rocky Mountains, and high latitudes. Migratory. 
