SOME THREATENED BRITISH SPECIES 205 



numbers, penetrating more out-of-the-way districts, 

 and the Divers should not be overlooked by those 

 most capable of preserving and protecting them. 

 Experience has repeatedly shown us that species 

 once plentiful have very rapidly decreased in 

 numbers, and finall}^ become extinct, when their 

 haunts have been exposed to disturbing influences. 

 The Great-crested Grebe (Podicipes cristatus), 

 is also worthy of mention in the present chapter. 

 We all know that it is a fairly common resident 

 in the British Islands, breeding on the banks of 

 many lakes and meres in England and Wales, as 

 well as in Ireland and the extreme south of 

 Scotland. But we also know that the plumage of 

 this Grebe is held in great request by the furrier, 

 and that the poor bird suffers much persecution 

 in consequence. Once let " grebe " become fashion- 

 able for a few seasons — as we hear it is likely to 

 be — and our indigenous stock of birds may soon be 

 greatly reduced, and one of the most handsome 

 bird ornaments of our inland waters well-nigh 

 extirpated. We draw the attention of our bird 

 lovers and bird preservers to the Great-crested 

 Grebe, because we honestly think it requires more 

 protection than it now receives. After all, we 

 cannot be too alert in these matters ; for, taught by 



