SECOND WEEK IN JUNE 127 
any human beings or houses in it, would per- 
haps settle there for the night at least, and 
not being molested and finding food, some 
remain there permanently (only, unfortunately, 
to beshot!). The great crested grebe, as I have 
mentioned, is a very handsome bird, and has 
been much sought after for its feathers. Its 
length is about twenty inches or more. The 
upper parts of the male are dark brown, but the 
under parts area lovely silky white. The upper 
parts of the wings are white, which show as the 
bird swims. The head is set off with a crest 
of dark chestnut, and the neck is ornamented 
with a ruff of the same colour, the cheeks are 
white, the eyes are piercing. It is a resident 
in our country, and found chiefly in the eastern 
counties, whilst many visit us from the 
north of Europe. Four or five eggs are laid. 
I do not think a second brood is raised. The 
bird utters a sharp harsh cry during the nest- 
ing season, mostly at night I would imagine. 
I have never heard it. 
Another bird of the same species, very 
different in appearance and only half the size 
