GREAT CRESTED GREBE. 24.5 
Walton Reservoir near Warrington. In June 1899, 
we saw a pair with young on a ‘flash’ or subsidence 
in the salt district between Davenham and Lach 
Dennis. So far as we know the bird does not breed 
on any of the Longdendale Reservoirs, but a few pairs 
nest annually at Bosley Reservoir, and occasionally a 
pair rear their young on smaller reservoirs, such as the 
one at Higher Sutton on the hills east of Macclesfield. 
On each of these waters from one to half a dozen, or 
even more, pairs nest every year. On April Ist, 1899, 
we had fifteen Grebes in sight at once at Redes Mere, 
though from where we were standing only a portion of 
the water was visible; and in the autumn we have 
sometimes seen over a score of birds scattered over the 
surface of Rostherne Mere. 
When the Great Crested Grebe is swimming, the 
body is so deeply sunk in the water that the upper 
parts between the neck and back are often submerged, 
and at a distance the bird would frequently escape 
notice were it not that, as it rolls to preen its feathers, 
the satin-like plumage of its under parts flashes like 
silver in the sunlight. The birds, which are seldom 
seen except on the water, present a very curious appear- 
ance when on the wing. From a boat, we have 
occasionally seen them flying high overhead, their 
necks outstretched and tippets expanded, and their 
lobed feet held stiffly behind them like a Pufiin’s. 
The adult Great Crested Grebe dives with extra- 
ordinary grace and agility, generally remaining under 
water from twenty to twenty-five seconds, and some- 
times for as long as half a minute. We have often 
observed them make their way below the surface 
through dense beds of water-lilies fifteen yards or more 
across. The habit of diving, however, is not per- 
