NON-IXDIGEXOUS BRITISH BIRDS. 327 



and other aquatic vegetation. This Grebe also pairs 

 for Hfe, but whether the same nest is used each season 

 I am unable to say. The nest, which is a large, flat 

 structure, is usually floating amongst the reeds and 

 other vegetation, but sometimes is built upon a tussock 

 in very shallow water. It is merely a heap of half- 

 rotten sedge, rush, reed, and grass, the cavity containing 

 the eggs being lined with the finer and drier material. 

 The parent bird covers her eggs for concealment with 

 bits of reed or grass upon leaving them voluntarily, 

 even before she begins to sit, or the full complement is 

 laid. If flushed from the nest the bird usually takes 

 refuge in the water. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Sclavonian Grebe are four or five in 

 number, sometimes only three ; and occasionally as 

 many as six. Mr. Raine records a clutch of the latter 

 number taken at Long Lake near Lake Winnipeg, on 

 the 1 8th of June. They are rough in texture, pointed 

 at both ends, and yellowish-white in colour — pea-green 

 w^hen held up to the light, and viewed through the hole 

 w^here the contents have been removed. Average mea- 

 surement, 1*8 inch in length, by I "2 inch in breadth. 

 Incubation is performed by both sexes, and lasts from 

 twenty-one to twenty-four days. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of the Scla- 

 vonian Grebe are easily distinguished from those of the 

 Little Grebe by their larger size, but are indistinguish- 

 able from those of the Black-necked Grebe. They are 

 smaller than those of the Red-necked and Great Crested 

 Grebes. 



