41 



Case 213a. 



This duplicate case of the Coot is shown because of its historical 

 interest. It is the first case of its kind mounted so as to show the 

 characteristic habitat of the species. It was prepared in 1865, and 

 was exhibited at the British Association Meeting, held in Birmingham 

 the same year. 



Case 214. 



MOOR-HEN {Gallinula chloropus). 



A common resident throughout the British Islands, found wherever 

 the reedy margins of lakes, ponds, or running water afford suitable 

 shelter. It is a good swimmer and feeds on slugs, worms and insects, 

 and has been known to kill and devour the young of other water fowl. 

 The nest is usually situated just above shallow water among reeds or 

 other aquatic plants, but it is occasionally placed a considerable height 

 over the water in the branches of some overhanging trees. It is a 

 compactly built structure, made of dry flags and sedges. The eggs, 

 from seven to nine in number, are pale-buff, spotted with reddish-brown 

 and dull lilac (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 19). 



Case 215. 



GREAT CRESTED GREBE {Podicipes cristatus). 



This species is more or less resident in England and Wales. In 

 winter it is to be found on many parts of the British Coasts. It feeds 

 on fish and crustaceans and sometimes on tadpoles and frogs. The 

 nests may be found on the more extensive and reedy sheets of water, 

 and are usually floating masses of wet aquatic plants. Four or five 

 white eggs are laid, but they soon become stained to a yellow-brown 

 from contact with the wet decomposing vegetable matter (see British 

 Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 24). The Great Crested Grebe has an 

 instructive habit of covering her eggs with shavings made from the 

 surrounding bulrushes, when she leaves the nest. These shavings are 

 prepared by the bird while sitting on the eggs, and in the group the 

 heap of shavings and the stumps from which they have been taken are 

 shown. The nest was collected from the lake at Knowsley Hall. The 

 nuptial adornments — the crest and tippet — disappear at the autumn 

 moult, and the top of the head and back of the neck become brown, 

 and the throat and fore-neck silvery white. 



LITTLE GREBE or DABCHICK {Podicipes fluviatilis). 



A common resident throughout the British Isles. It may be 

 found frequenting all reedy streams and lakes. Its food consists 



