GREAT-CRESTED GREBE. 299 



to conceal it. When tlie nest is plundered, the bird im- 

 mediately 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 

 in the nest, 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 disturbed, and thus frequently escaj)e 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 num- 

 ber, white, and two inches two lines long, by one inch and 

 six lines in breadth. The parent birds are very careful of 

 their young, taking them doAvn 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 favourite 

 diet with them. 



A fine adult specimen belonging to the Ornithological 

 Society, has been kept on the canal in St. James's Park more 

 than twelve months. This bird has carried a good crest, 

 unaltered throughout the Avhole of last winter; and at this 

 time. May 1842, the crest is of large size and fine in colour. 

 Unfortunately the Society possess but a single example of 

 the species, apparently a fine and old male. This bird does 

 not associate with any of the other numerous water-fowl on 

 the canal, he swims low in the water, and generally keeps 

 out in the middle of the widest part, frequently diving for 

 food, occasionally preening his plumage, and sometimes sleeps 

 in mid-day, the head turned half round with the beak in- 

 serted and hid among the feathers on the back. 



Of several examples of the Great-crested Grebe which I 

 have examined internally, I never remember to have opened 



