Grebe

Grebe, any bird of the cosmopolitan genus Podiceps, with 26 species, the type of a family Poclicipedidte. Grebes are diving birds that frequent fresh water during the greater part of the year, only resorting to the sea in winter, and rarely going far from water, for the lobed feet are placed so far baok fts to be poor organs of locomotion on land, though they are admirably fitted for swimming organs, and by their means alone these birds dive and move under water. The general plumage is blackish-brown above, and glossy white, tinged with rust-red or grey at the sides, beneath. There is generally some rust-red on the crest, which is less developed in the female than in her mate. The flesh is uneatable, but the skins are valuable for muffs and trimmings. The Great Crested Grebe (P. cristatus), about 21 inches long, is resident in many parts of Britain, but is not nearly so common as the Little Grebe or Dabchick (P. fiuriatilis), about 9i inches long, and without a- crest. The Red-necked Grebe (P. griseigena), about 17 inches long, and the Horned or Sclavonian Grebe (P. auritus), are autumn and winter visitants, the latter chiefly to waters of the eastern counties. The Eared or Black-necked Grebe (P. nigricollis), our rarest visitor, comes in spring and summer.