98 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



movement, and numbers increased by northern 

 arrivals dming winter. Note: a "gaggle." Local 

 and other names : Wild Goose, Grey Goose, Grey- 

 legged Goose. Sits close. 



GOSHAWK 



Has now quite ceased to breed within the 

 British Isles, and is only a straggler seen upon 



rare occasions. 



GREBE, GREAT CRESTED. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about 

 twenty-two inches. Bill rather long, straight, 

 pointed, black at the tip, and reddish towards the 

 base. The top of the head and the divided crest 

 with which it is adorned are dusky ; cheeks whitish. 

 Bound the upper part of the neck is a tippet or 

 ruff, which is formed of elongated feathers that 

 stand out all round. These feathers are rusty red, 

 with a darker tinge at the tip of each. Hind part 

 of the neck, back, wings, and short, tufty tail, dark 

 brown, except the secondaries of the wings, which 

 are white. Front of neck, breast, and belly, silvery 

 white. Sides and flanks, pale chestnut ; outside of 

 legs and toes, dusky green ; inside, pale yellowish- 

 green. Each toe is surrounded by a margin of 

 web. 



The female is not so large or distinct in 

 coloration. Her crest is also smaller. 



Situation and Locality. — Amongst reeds grow- 

 ing in the water. Sometimes its foundation rests 

 upon the bottom, at others it is moored to the 



