The Black-necked Grebe

Abstract

IN the note upon this bird (NATURE, Jan. 3, p. 35) its generic name is given as Podiceps, perpetuating an error in orthography for which, I think, Yarrell was originally responsible and has been followed by some later writers on ornithology. On the analogy of biceps, calviceps, etc., Podiceps can only be translated ‘rump-headed’ whereas the right name of the genus is Podicipes (Linn.), meaning ‘rump-footed’, referring to the peculiar position of the legs and feet in birds of the family Podicipedidæ.