320 THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



According to Mr. Potts, it swims low in the water with an air 

 of demure gravity, which affords a marked contrast to the rapid 

 movements of most of the other natatorial Inrds, with which it 

 frequently associates. He found the nest in November and 

 December. The structure is large and very solidly built of pieces 

 of decayed Carex virgata raised about a foot above the surface 

 of the water, its sloping sides giving a ready means of reaching 

 the basin-like depression on the top. in which the eggs are 

 deposited. 



Mr. W. T. L. Travers says that this bird was found at all seasons 

 of the year upon Lake Guyon, a small lake in the Nelson province, 

 lying close under the Spencer Llountain range. The water of this 

 lake is generally very warm, and even in severe seasons has never 

 been frozen over. To this fact is attributed the circumstance that 

 some of these birds are found upon it throughout the year. 

 There are several apparently permanent nests on the borders of 

 the lake, which have been occupied by pairs of birds for many 

 years in succession. Therefore, INIr. Travers infers that these 

 birds pair for life. The nests, he says, are built amongst the 

 twiggy branches of trees which have fallen from the banks of the 

 lake, and now lie half floating in the water, and are formed of 

 irregularly laid masses of various species of pond weeds found 

 growing in the lake, which the birds obtain by diving. The nests 

 are but little raised above the surface of the water, for, in con- 

 secjuence of the position and structure of its feet, and the general 

 form of its body, the grebe is unable to raise itself upon the 

 fonner unless the body be in great measure supported by water. 



The eggs are usually three in number. Both male and female 

 assist in tlie labour of incubation, although it is supposed that 

 the chief part of this task devolves upon the female, and that she 

 is relieved by her partner only for the purpose of enabling her to 

 feeti. 



The Little Grebe. — Wewelv. 

 Podicipes r up pectus. 



Above, blackish brown, finely streaked with white on the head. The 

 throat, brown; breast, rufous; and the abdomen, white. Breast sometimes 



