THE GREAT-CRESTED GREBE 
PODICEPS CRISTATUS 
Locat names in surrounding counties : “‘ Loon ” (Essex). 
Stratus tn British Avirauna : A somewhat scarce and 
local resident, commonest in England and Wales, rare in 
Ireland and the south of Scotland; more widely dis- 
persed in winter than in summer, and at the former 
season frequenting the coasts. 
RapraL DisrriBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 
Paut’s : ‘The Great-crested Grebe seems to be increasing 
as a breeding species in the Metropolitan area. ‘The 
nearest breeding haunt to the city known to me is the 
lake in Wimbledon Park, some seven miles from the 
Cathedral. Another nesting-place is at the Penn Ponds 
in Richmond Park, open to every observer; whilst a 
third is the lake in Osterley Park, on the nine-mile radius. 
During winter this Grebe casually wanders to waters 
much nearer the City, and is then seen in localities remote 
from its breeding resorts. It has been seen on the ‘hames 
between Charing Cross and Waterloo Bridges, and at the 
reservoirs at Barnes. It appears to be rarer in the east 
than in the west and south. I have a record from 
Kingsbury Reservoir in winter, and I believe the bird 
occasionally visits Elstree and the Welsh Harp. Records 
of the species from Kent are meagre,and much concerning 
its Metropolitan distribution requires investigation. 
The Great-crested Grebe, like the Coot, prefers a 
large open sheet of water, where it has plenty of room 
to retire from the banks when threatened by danger. 
Although it can fly well enough when necessary, this bird 
lives almost entirely in the water, where its diving powers 
are amazing. It seldom visits the land, and here its 
movements are awkward and shuffling. At some of its 
London haunts the bird may be watched gracefully 
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