BIRDS OF THE LAKES, STREAMS, AND SWAMPS 225 
notes. Also called Black-throated Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Dab- 
chick, and White-bellied Diver. Usually in pairs or small parties, 
frequenting still waters of lakes, swampy lagoons, and dams. It is 
generally seen in clear open water far out from the shore, and rarely 
on the land. When disturbed it suddenly disappears under the \v T ater, 
to reappear on the surface some distance away. Food: aquatic animals 
and plants. 
nest. A raft-like structure, composed of reeds and other aquatic 
plants, generally only a few inches above the surface of the water, and 
attached to reeds, twigs of a fallen branch of a tree, or other debris. 
eggs. Four to seven, white, soon becoming stained due to a thick 
coating of lime. Breeding-season: October to March or April. 
17. Hoary-headed Grebe Podiceps poliocephalus Jardine and Selby 
pol-i-o-ceph'-al-us— Gk, polios , grey; Gk, cephale, head. 
distribution. Australia generally, and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Dabchick and Tom Pudding. Usually in pairs 
or small parties, frequenting lakes and streams, salt-water inlets, and 
the estuaries of rivers. Similar in habits and economy to the Little 
Grebe. They are often seen together. 
nest. Similar to that of the Little Grebe. 
eggs. Like those of the Little Grebe. Breeding-season: October to 
January or February. 
18. Wood-sandpiper Tringa glareola Linn6 
Tring-a— N.L., from Gk, tryngas, a species of bird: glar-e-oV-a— L., 
glareolus , gravelly. 
distribution. Northern Europe and northern Asia, migrating 
southwards to South Africa, India, Malaysia, and Australia. 
notes. A rare visitor to Australia during the spring and summer 
months. It frequents marshy areas, swims well, and also perches on 
trees. Food: shell-fish, grasshoppers, and other insects. 
nest. A depression in the ground. 
eggs. Four, bluish, covered with large spots and blotches of dark 
purplish-red markings, more so at the larger end, and underlying spots 
of lavender. Breeding-season: May and June (Siberia). 
19. Marsh-sandpiper Tringa slagnatilis Bechstein 
stag-nd'-til-is— L., stagnatilis, of marshes. 
distribution. Central Europe and northern Asia, migrating south¬ 
wards to South Africa, India, Malaysia, to northern and eastern 
Australia. 
notes. Also called Little Greenshank. A rare visitor to Australia 
during the spring and summer months, where it frequents salt marshes. 
Nothing is recorded of its habits while in Australia. 
nest. A depression in the ground among grass. 
