BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 99 



surrounding vegetation. On large sheets of fresh 

 water. It breeds on the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, 

 in Wales, Yorkshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, Lan- 

 cashire, and several other counties. Mr. Saunders 

 and other naturalists say that it does not breed 

 in Scotland ; but Mr. Dixon, in whom I place 

 great reliance, says that it does so in the southern 

 counties ; however, I am unable from my own 

 observations to confirm this. It is also found 

 breeding in several parts of Ireland. 



Materials. Flags, sedge leaves, reeds, and all 

 kinds of dead water-plants heaped together. The 

 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 T45 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 voluntarily. 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. 



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, belly, and under parts, greyish- white. Legs 

 H 2 



