330 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



hanging plants and grass. Nests have been recorded 

 made in the low branches overhanging the water. It 

 may best be described as a mass of half-rotten, wet 

 vegetation, reeds, rushes, equisetums, grass, and water- 

 weeds all matted together, with a shallow hollow at the 

 top more neatly finished. The bird sits lightly, at the 

 least alarm quickly covering her eggs with bits of wet 

 weed and rush to conceal them from view, and then 

 dropping so quietly into the water that scarcely a ripple 

 remains to disclose the secret of her disappearance. 

 It is amazing how quickly this operation is performed ; 

 and here once more I might impress upon the reader 

 that this act of covering the eggs is not for warmth, but 

 for concealment. If the bird is disturbed suddenly, and 

 has to leave the eggs uncovered, it usually returns at the 

 first opportunity and does so. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Little Grebe are from four to six, rarely 

 seven, in number, elliptical and pointed in shape, and 

 rather rough in texture. They are pure white when 

 newly laid, but soon become stained and discoloured by 

 contact with the wet nest, and feet and plumage of the 

 parents. Average measurement, v^ inch in length, by 

 I'O inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by both 

 sexes, lasts about three weeks. 



Diagnostic characters : The small size, elliptic 

 shape, and pea-green tinge of the interior of the shell 

 viewed through the hole when held up to the light, 

 readily distinguish the eggs of the Little Grebe from 

 those of all other species breeding within our area. 



