THE CRESTED GREBE. 
193 
the mandible ; nostrils linear-elliptical, basal, rather small, pervious. Lower 
mandible with the angle long and extremely narrow ; dorsal line beyond it 
ascending and straight, sides erect, slightly convex, tip acuminate, edges 
sharp. 
Head of moderate size, oblong, compressed. Neck long, slender. Body 
long and depressed. Feet short, large, placed close to the extremity of the 
body ; tibia feathered to the joint-; tarsus extremely compressed ; its anterior 
edge with a row of small scutella, the sides with broad scutella, behind which 
are some irregular scales, the posterior ridge with a double line of small 
prominent scales ; first toe very small, with a posterior membrane, fourth 
longest ; the toes scutellate above, connected at the base by a membrane, and 
having on both sides an expanded web-like margin marked 'with oblique 
lines, and having a crenated edge. Claws flat, that of third toe broadest. 
Plumage very soft, blended, on the lower parts silky, on the back glossy 
and rather compact. Two tufts of elongated feathers on the occiput, and a 
large frill on the sides and anterior portion of the neck at its upper part. 
Wings small, acute ; primaries much curved, second longest, first almost 
equal, the rest rapidly graduated ; secondaries short, rounded. Tail a slight 
tuft of loose feathers. 
Bill blackish-brown tinged with carmine ; bare loral space dusky-green, 
as is the edge of the eyelids*. Iris bright carmine. Feet greyish-black, the 
webs greyish-blue. Upper part of the head and tufts greyish-black tinged 
with green, as is the hind part of the ruff, its anterior part being brownish- 
red ; side of the head and the throat white ; fore neck white tinged with 
brown ; breast silvery white, sides reddish-brown with dusky streaks ; the 
upper parts are 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, tips of the inner white, the middle seconda- 
ries white. 
Length to end of tail 24 inches, to end of wings 21, to end of claws 29 ; 
extent of wings 33 ; wing from flexure 74 ; bill along the ridge 2, along the 
edge of lower mandible 2 T 7 ^ ; tarsus 2£; third toe f, its claw i. Weight 2 
lbs. 9 oz. 
Adult Female in spring. 
The female has the occipital feathers a little elongated, but wants the ruff 
on the neck. Bill dusky-green ; bare loral space, edges of eyelids, and iris, 
as in the male. Upper part of head and hind neck blackish-grey ; back and 
wings as in the male, but more tinged with grey ; lower parts silvery white, 
the sides under the wings dusky. 
Length to end of tail 19£, to end of claws 24J ; extent of wings 30 ; bill 
Vol. VIII.— 25 
