V:" "
f e li
OENTROPELMA MICROPTERUM,
(LITTLE-WINGED GEEBE).
Fodieeps micropients Gould, P.Z.S . 1868, p . 220.
S u p ra fusco-Digricans, p lumis med ialite r o b scurioribus : c ris ta c ap itis e lo n g atâ e t collo postico castaneis, pluma rum
apicibus fuBcescentibuB : alis ex tù s n ig ric an tib u s, secundariorum apicibus an g u stia o t pogoniis in te rio rib u s to tis a lb is;
su b tù s sericeo-album, fusco e t ru fe scen te pe rfu sum, g u lâ e t collo autico p u rè a lb is : liypo cb o n d rio rum e t u ro p y g ii
plumis ad b a sin albis, n ig ro te rm in a tis e t castaneo m is tis : te ctric ib u s su b a larib u s a lb is : ro stro , e longate , incurvo,
crassiusculo, rubricau ti-co rn eo ; man d ib u lâ flavicante ; ta rs i seu tellis poste rio rib u s longè em in en tib u s e t spinosis : long,
to tâ 15 0, alæ 4 5, ta rs i 2'0, r o s tr i a r ic tu I'O , d ig iti e s te rn i cum u n g u e 2'8, medii 2 '6 , in t. 2'1.
I la b . in lacu Titicaca, Ame r, merid.
This very remarkable Grebe was discovered by Mr. David Forbes, r.R .S ., on tbe Lake of
Titicaca some years ago, and described by Mr. Gould at a meeting o f tbe Zoological Society of
London on the 26tli o f March, 1868. It was referred by Mr. Gould to Podiceps, hut presents so
many points o f distinction from the knoivn members o f that group, that w e have thought it right
to remove it to a new genus.
Mr. Forbes has favoured us with the following note on this bird.
“ I found this Grebe in great numbers on Lake Titicaca—especially on tbe lower portion
or Lake o f H uaqui—it is seen in large flocks o f three or four hundred each. On the 17th ot
May, 1862, when on the island o f Piriti, I shot several specimens, amongst which were those
brought home to this country. The Aymaras call the bird ‘ Quinocaya.’ Its skin is much
valued by the Bolivians and used for saddle-cloths—seven skins making one saddle-cloth. The
bird is said to breed among the Tortoras—or large reeds, which abound in tbe lake.”
The general size o f this bird is rather less than that o f the well-known Podiceps cristatus of
Europe. The hill is rather shorter than in that species, less compressed, and generally broader
throughout, particularly at the sides o f the base o f the upper mandible. These project considerably
and leave a distinct groove between themselves aud tlie gonys, in the interior extremity
o f wliich the nasal openings are placed. The nostrils are thus situated relatively much farther
forward than in typical Podiccps. The commissure, instead o f being straight as in P . cristatus,
is much incui-ved in the terminal portion o f the bill.
The wings o f this Grebe, although perfectly formed, are remarkably diminutive, so as to
render the specific name which Sir. Gould has bestowed upon it particularly apposite. Although,
as we have already said, the bird is nearly o f the size o f P . cristatus, the wings are hardly larger