HORNED GREBE 528 
Several instances are recorded from Lough Neagh. 
Single individuals are generally met with; at times, 
however, half a dozen or so may be seen diving in large 
bays and sea-loughs. Mr. Warren, who has obtained several 
specimens in winter, tells me, that in Willala Bay he has 
usually seen these birds swimming in pairs. 
Flight.—On the wing this Grebe may be distinguished 
from the last species by its smaller size and shorter wings ; 
for it is a little larger than the Black-necked Grebe, for 
which it might easily be mistaken on the wing. 
Voice—The note is rather soft and may be syllabled 
lib-lib, or sometimes ché-ché-chic. 
Food.—Fish form the chief diet, and the bird has a 
voracious appetite. As in the case of its congeners feathers 
are frequently swallowed, which may be found in the gizzard 
mingled with fish-bones and other indigestible substances. 
Nest.—The nest, generally moist and in a state of decom- 
position, is an untidy structure composed of reeds and other 
water-plants. It either floats on the surface or is built up 
from the bottom of the lake.t The smooth deep waters of 
quiet sheltered lakes and ponds fringed with aquatic vegeta- 
tion are the favourite breeding-haunts of this bird. 
In colour and shape the. eggs are like those of other 
Grebes, though often exhibiting when fresh a tint of bluish- 
white. As incubation proceeds they become stained yel- 
lowish-brown. Two to four generally constitute the clutch, 
which is laid about the first week in June. The nestlings 
are very carefully tended by their parents, the mother- bird 
often diving with them under her wing. 
Geographical distribution. —Abroad,” this Grebe, unhke its 
congeners, resorts chiefly to northern climes in the breeding- 
season. It nests in many countries of Arctic and Sub-arctic 
Kurope (including Iceland, where it 1s common), Asia, and 
1 Mr. Coburn found this bird breeding abundantly in some districts 
in the north of Iceland, but none of the nests examined were ‘ actual 
floating structures; they were built up from the bottom of the lake, 
until the surface of the water was reached. The commonest site was 
under a projecting mass of lava, without any surrounding vegetation, and 
the eggs could be distinctly seen a long distance away.” “Mr. Coburn 
has kindly allowed me to examine a fine series of nests, eggs, and young, 
which he obtained when on his expedition (‘ Zoologist,’ 1901, p. 417). 
2 The evidences which from time to time, have been put forward to 
support the view that this species has bred in the British Isles, rest on 
too shaky a basis to admit of references. 
