120 POmCIPEDID.E. 



they move over towards the arms of the sea as winter 

 approaches, not remaining to be frozen out, and return early 

 in spring. The nest is frequently built in an exposed situa- 

 tion, before the young reeds have sprouted sufficiently to 

 conceal it, and if plundered the bird immediately makes 

 another in the vicinity and lays again. The birds are more 

 prone to take flight in spring than at other seasons of the 

 year, but as soon as the eggs are deposited, both male 

 and female seem to trust entirely to their powers of 

 diving for preservation, and very seldom show themselves. 

 They generally dive away from their nest on being dis- 

 turbed, and thus frequently escape observation ; a slight 

 vibration among the reeds being the only sign of their 

 departure. The nest is composed of half-rotten decaying 

 water-plants, nearly level with the surface of the water, 

 and is generally very wet. The eggs are usually four in 

 number, originally white, but often becoming ochreous-brown 

 from mud and decomposing vegetable matter; average 

 measurements 2*2 by 1*5 in. The parent birds are very 

 careful of their young, taking them down with them for 

 security under their wings when they dive. They feed them 

 with young eels, and other small fish, some small Crustacea, 

 and a portion of vegetable food ; tadpoles and small frogs 

 are also a favourite diet with them. 



A fine adult specimen belonging to the Ornithological 

 Society lived in St. James's Park more than twelve months. 

 This bird carried a good crest, which did not alter through- 

 out the winter, and in May it was of large size and fine in 

 colour. Unfortunately the Society possessed but a single 

 example of the species, apparently a male. This bird did 

 not associate with any of the other numerous water-fowl ; he 

 swam low in the water, and generally kept out in the middle 

 of the widest part, frequently diving for food, occasionally 

 preening his plumage, and sometimes slept in mid-day, the 

 head turned half round, with the beak inserted and hidden 

 among the feathers on the back. 



In all examples of the Great Crested Grebe which the 

 Author examined, the stomachs contained a portion of 



