ease a! 
surface of the water and underneath the leaf, to enable the bird to breathe. Another 
characteristic of the Grebes is their apparent unwillingness to take wing or to come upon 
land. At the same time their power of flight is undoubted by reason of their migration, and 
of the sudden appearance of some of the species on pools and lakes many miles from any 
other water. When flying the Grebe strongly resembles a duck. The Great Crested Grebe 
forms a somewhat substantial floating mass of water weeds, rushes, reeds, dead sticks, and 
aquatic plants on which to nest among the reeds. The eggs are four to five in number, chalky 
white when laid, but soon becoming mud-stained 
and discoloured by the decaying vegetable 
matter composing the nest. On being dis- 
turbed from off the nest the hen bird with her 
beak hurriedly covers over the eggs with weed, 
especially after the full complement of eggs 
is laid. The young take to the water almost 
as soon as they are hatched. The Little Grebe 
nests amongst the weeds, and often in very 
exposed situations, apparently trusting to the 
resemblance of the nest (which is entirely 
composed of floating water weeds) to its 
surroundings to escape notice. This little 
bird also covers over its eggs when leaving the 
nest. The eggs are five to six in number, dead 
white when laid, but they soon become stained 
a muddy colour. On approach of danger the LITTLE GREBE. 
hen bird frequently takes her young under 
her wing and dives, taking them with her to a place of safety. There is no conclusive 
evidence of the three rarer species of Grebe ever having bred in this country. 
VI. Protection. 
Wild Birds Protection Act, 1880.—All the Grebes are included in the schedule, 
which applies to every county in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Any owner, 
occupier, or other person, taking, killing, etc., a Grebe during the close season,* or 
possessing or selling a Grebe after the 15th of March, is liable to a penalty of £1 
for each bird. 
Wild Birds Protection Act, 1894.—The eggs of the Grebes are protected in the 
following counties and county boroughs :— 
Grebes of all Species.—Encianp.—Northumberland, Holy Island; +York, Hast 
Riding; York, West Riding; Huddersfield; Cambridge; +Chester ; +Norfolk ; 
+East Suffolk; West Suffolk; +Devon; +Hssex; Herts (not within M.P.D.); Kent; 
tIsle of Wight; and +East Sussex. 
Scornanp.— Orkney. 
IrELAND.—Roscommon. 
Great Crested Grebe also in— Enauanp.—Leicester; Norfolk; Stafford ; 
Salop ; Worcester ; East Sussex ; and Hastings. 
Scornanp.—Dumtfries ; Fife; Kincardine ; Kirkcudbright; Peebles ; Perth ; 
Stirling ; Wigtown. 
Sclavonian Grebe also in—Eneianp.-— Worcester. 
Little Grebe also in—Eneaianp.—Leicester ; Worcester ; Dorset. 
Wates.—Pembroke. 
Scottanp.—}Argyll; Dumbarton; Fife; Lanark; and Stirling. 
* Generally from 1st March to 31st July, but the close season has been extended in many counties, and 
in several extends fo the whole year, affording these birds absolute protection all the ) ear round. 
+ Indicates that only in a specified area in the county are the eggs protected. 
Illustration by kind permission of Messrs. Longmans, Green, & Co., from “ British Birds,” by 
W. H. Hudson, C.M.ZS. 
