140 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



nest has a slight hollow on the top, and does not 

 stand far above the level of the water. 



Eggs.' Three to five, usually four. White when 

 originally laid, but soon becoming stained and 

 dirtied. Size about 2.2 by 1.45 in. 



Time. April, May, and June. 



Remarks. Resident but wandering. Note : a 

 harsh, single-syllabled kind of croak. Local and 

 other names : Gaunt Molrooken, Loon, Tippet 

 Grebe, Greater Loon, Cargoose. Gregarious. Covers 

 over eggs on leaving nest, by swift side to side move- 

 ments of her bill, with nesting materials. Makes 

 several mock nests, supposed to be either for the 

 male, as outlook posts, or for the young ones when 

 hatched. Sits lightly, and dives when the nest is 

 approached. 



GREBE, LITTLE. Also DABCHICK. 



(Podicipes fluviatilis?) 

 Order PYGOPODES ; Family PODICIPEDID^ (GREBES). 



Description of Parent Birds. 

 Length about ten inches. 

 Bill not very long, straight, 

 and brown. Irides reddish- 

 brown. Crown, back of neck, 

 and the whole of the upper 

 parts, dark rusty - brown. 

 Cheeks, throat, and sides of 

 neck, reddish-brown : breast, 



LITTLE GREBE ON NEST. ' 



belly, and under parts, 



greyish- white. Legs and toes, dark greenish. The 

 wings are short, tail almost nil, and legs situated 

 far behind. 



The female is very similar to the male. 



Situation and Locality. Amongst reeds, rushes, 



