LITTLE GREBE. 251 
Cheshire lowlands, and in the winter it is often seen on 
waters where it does not nest. At this latter season, 
even when the ponds and meres are not frozen, we 
have often come across the bird on the swift-flowing 
streams and rivers. It is probable that a few pairs nest 
in suitable localities in the Hill Country, for we have 
seen Little Grebes on a pool in Lyme Park in July. 
Little Grebes occasionally nest on the meres, but the 
majority of our resident birds breed on marlpits in 
secluded situations. The nesting habits of this species 
agree in many respects with those of the Great Crested 
Grebe; the eggs, five or six in number, are always in 
different stages of incubation, and they are exposed 
when there are only one or two in the nest, but always 
covered when the bird has begun to sit. The Little 
Grebe does not readily forsake the nest after it has 
commenced to lay. We have on two occasions known 
birds to lay again in nests from which the eggs had 
been removed. In one case the clutch which was taken 
was in an advanced state of incubation. 
The Little Grebe is by no means so expert a diver 
as its larger congener, and it never remains so long 
under the water. Coward once watched one at Great 
Budworth which several times emerged from its dive 
tail first. 
