J31RDS OF THE MARSH AND LAKE 393 



only by the cry of a Coot far out on the lake, or 

 by the croak of a Heron soaring above the distant 

 trees. Then from the densest part of the reeds 

 comes the low "twit-wit," and again we notice a 

 trembling in the upper stems. The reason for the 

 warning is soon apparent. Two small, dark 

 fluffy balls, led by the silence to believe that the 

 enemy has gone by, have moved to the edge of 

 the rushes and now swim confidently out into the 

 lagoon. They are so near that they could almost 

 be reached by an outstretched oar, and the mother- 

 bird at once realizes that they are in danger. She 

 suddenlv appears from beneath the water at their 

 side uttering her sharp "twit-wit," and the little 

 ones take refuge beneath her wings, when she con- 

 vovs them rapidly to the shelter beyond. It is 

 said that on occasion she will dive with the young 

 still clinging to her sides, and this, I think, may 

 be readily believed. 



The Great Crested Grebe has many habits in 

 common with the more familiar Dabchick. It may 

 still be found throughout the whole year on certain 

 of the more extensive sheets of water in England, 

 but from the reticence of its ways it usually evades 

 attention. The beauty of its plumage has led 

 largely to its destruction in the past : the silvery 

 whiteness of the under surfaces, from which its 

 name Satin Grebe is derived, having long ago 

 attracted the envious eye of Fashion. In certain 

 parts of the Continent the Great Crested Grebe is 

 regularly hunted down for its skin, and if it were 



