GREAT CRESTED GREBE. 119 



a bed of short bulrushes growing round the edge of the 

 lough, and as the boat we were in approached, the old birds 

 were observed diving away from the spot, which led us to 

 search for the eggs. In every instance there was a second 

 nest within a few yards of the one with eggs, apparently 

 used as a resting-place, or look-out station, by the cock-bird. 

 The eggs we took, although quite fresh, were as usual very 

 dirty and stained, but after being washed they became quite 

 white and good specimens, with a chalky surface much re- 

 sembling a cormorant's egg. 



" 29th May. Found that both of the above-mentioned 

 pair of birds had laid again in the old nests, one and two 

 eggs respectively, and I found two new nests containing 

 two and four eggs, all of which were quite fresh. In most 

 instances the eggs were carefully covered over with weeds, 

 and three of the nests were within ten yards of each other, 

 each having as usual a second nest, or pad of sedge, close 

 by, for the male to rest upon. 



" 8th June. Found eighteen more fresh eggs, doubtless 

 laid for the most part by the birds whose nests I robbed on 

 the 29th May. No nests contained more than four eggs, 

 and, as previously mentioned, several nests were found 

 together — i.e., in the same strip of rush, within a few yards 

 of each other. One nest contained two much incubated 

 eggs, and one quite fresh. 



" The note may be described as a harsh monosyllabic croak, 

 but I only heard it uttered when the birds were in the 

 rushes near the nests, probably by the male from his look- 

 out station. They fly well, and I saw them often on the 

 wing flying about the lough at a considerable height, like 

 wild ducks." 



The Author was favoured by the Rev. Richard Lubbock 

 with notes on the habits of the Great Crested Grebe as 

 observed on the broads of Norfolk, where it is called a 

 Loon, and is liable to persecution for the beauty of its 

 plumage, and because it is considered to be injurious 

 to fish. A pair or two are to be found on most of the 

 extensive pools during spring, summer, and autumn ; but 



