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BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



GOOSE, GREY-LAG (Anser cinereus) 



Local Names. — Fen Goose, Grey Goose, Grey-Legged Goose, Quinck, 

 Wild Goose. 



Haunt. — Northern moors, swamps, and morasses. 



Nesting Period. — March to May. 



Site of Nest. — On the ground. 



Materials Used. — Sticks as a foundation, then grass, sedges, and 

 dead leaves, lined with down. The same nest is used each 

 season after being repaired, and thus soon becomes very large. 



Eggs. — Six to Twelve. Dull creamy-white. 



Food. — Grain, grass, and young shoots. 



Voice. — Call, " kak-kak," " gag-gag," or a noisy " gaggle." 



Chief Features. — The only species of Goose which nests in a wild 

 state in the British Isles. 



Plumage. — Greyish-brown head, neck, and upper parts; dull-white 

 lower breast and abdomen, spotted with black; rump and wing- 

 coverts bluish-grey; flesh-coloured bill, with white nail at tip; 

 legs and feet same colour as bill. Length. — Thirty-five inches. 



GREBE, GREAT CRESTED {Podiceps cristatus) 



Local Names. — Arsfoot, Ash-Coloured Loon, Ash-Coloured Swan, 

 Cargoose, Crested Grebe, Diver, Gaunt, Greater-Crested Doucker, 

 Greater Dabchick, Greater Loon, Horned Dabchick, Horned 

 Doucker, Loon, Molrooken, Tippet 

 Grebe. 



Haunt. — Fresh-water lakes, ponds, and 

 broads. 



Nesting Period. — April to June. 



Site of Nest. — Among rushes, on the edges of 

 lakes, etc. 



plants, such as reeds, etc. 

 Eggs. — Three or Four. Size, 2.2 by i .45 inch. 



White or greenish when first laid, but 



often become stained. 

 Food. — Tadpoles, frogs, fish, and insects. 

 Voice. — A harsh, grating cry during the 



breeding season, at other times the bird 



is very silent. 

 Chief Features. — This handsome species is 



increasing its range, and is largely protected. The curious 



head of tin- male at once identifies it. Very solicitous for the 



welfare of its young, and these remain with their parents for 



Fig. 12. Head of Great 

 Crested Grebe. 



