174 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE 



Baschurch in Feb. of the same year, and another was 

 seen on Shrawardine Pool, April nth, 1897. 



GREAT CRESTED GREBE B. The beautiful silvery 

 Podiceps cristatus. white plumage on the breast of this bird 



is well-known on account of its being 

 used for muffs and collars, etc. In the breeding time this 

 Grebe has a large brown crest and beard which disappears 

 in winter. It is resident throughout the year, and breeds 

 on several of our larger pools and meres ; whilst in winter 

 its numbers are increased by fresh arrivals from the North; 

 It is then often seen on pools where, however, it is not 

 known to nest. Of the Great Crested Grebe at Ellesmere, 

 Mr. Brownlow Tower writes: " I have counted as many 

 as twenty-three on the mere at the same time. This is a 

 rare visitant on many waters, but almost daily to be seen 

 and watched here. Let us watch one. See his snake-like 

 head and neck, and how his silvery- white breast gleams 

 in the morning sun, with his dark brown crest and chestnut 

 tippet. What dives he takes and how long he remains 

 under water when will he come up again ? Never where 

 you expect ; and soon he again vanishes from sight in his 

 eager chase of some small fish. In the summer time he 

 may be watched when paying his attentions to his future 

 wife, to whom he bows and curvets like an accomplished 

 * beau,' showing off his crest and tippet, as vain of 

 them as a peacock of his tail." 



Red-necked Grebe. A winter visitor to the Eastern 



P. griseigena. Counties, but very rare in Shropshire. 



Oct. Mar. It is not so large as the last and has a 



smaller black crest and red throat. 



The only Shropshire specimens are : one killed on the 



