GREAT CRESTED GREBE 517 
collector, viewing a great area of a sedge-grown lake perhaps 
several acres 1n extent, becomes bewildered in his endeavours 
to discover where the prize really lies. The eggs, laid in May, 
June, or even early in July, are from four to five in number, 
white in colour, elongated in shape, pointed at either end, 
and of a chalky texture. As incubation proceeds and they 
he in contact with the rotting materials which line the nest 
they become discoloured, deepening from yellow to brown. 
The lining-membrane of the shell is bright green. Great 
care is taken of the young and the latter sleep on their 
parents’ backs for some days after they are hatched. A male 
has been observed to carry a chick on his back for ten days 
while the female dived and brought food (Ussher). An 
instance is recorded of a Grebe, which when shot flying, 
dropped two of its offspring on the water (Sir R. Payne- 
Gallwey). Professor Newton describes how the young if 
taken from the nest and placed on dry ground, move along 
almost lke quadrupeds, using their wings lke fore-feet 
(albis. 18895) 9.5 7): 
In the nesting-season the Great Crested Grebe loses 
much of its shyness, and its habits may be watched with 
little difficulty. ‘A pair will approach each other with their 
necks held up and crests erected, all the while uttering 
their croak. Having met, they remain in that attitude, 
with the points of their bills touching each other. After 
some moments they lower their heads simultaneously until 
their bills touch their breasts, and then they renew the 
manceuvre, setting to one another like partners in a quad- 
rille ; or one dives and the other follows it. At other times 
they swim or rest on the water side by side (Mr. Kane 
in Field, March 4th, 1893).’”’ (Ussher, ‘ Birds of Ireland,’ 
p- 377.) 
This species breeds extensively in suitable localities in 
Great Britain and Ireland. In the latter country, which 
is much interspersed with sheltered lakes, the bird is widely 
distributed. Indeed its absence from the more remote 
districts of the West of Ireland is due largely to the bleak 
nature of the surrounding country, the paucity of aquatic 
vegetation which affords shelter, and the prevalence of 
westerly gales which cause waves of no small magnitude 
to rise on these waters. 
Geographical distribution.—Abroad, this Grebe is widely 
distributed as a breeding-species. It is found in many 
countries of Temperate Hurope, reaching northward as far 
