38 FAMILIAR WILD £IEDS. 



thoroughly aware of its deficiencies in these respects, that 

 it is seldom if ever found in localities where a speedy 

 retreat to its favourite element cannot be easily secured. 



In the winter, or rather in periods of severe frost, this 

 little bird is most commonly found in the smaller streams 

 and springs, in the mouths of rivers, and other pieces of 

 water unaffected by frost, and sometimes in the pools left 

 on the sea-coast by the receding tide ; but in the summer 

 time it affects the more open surfaces of lakes, fish-ponds, 

 and the reedy sides of rivers. In these localities the 

 Little Grebe may constantly be seen busily searching for 

 its food, swimming nimbly about, always keeping a sharp 

 look-out for unwelcome visitors, and being ready to dive 

 at a moment's notice. In sheets of water close to much- 

 frequented highways or railways the Little Grebe loses a 

 great deal of its shyness, and will permit a much greater 

 amount of familiarity on the part of the observer; but 

 even under these circumstances, the least suspicious move- 

 ment, or too sudden and close an approach, is quite enough for 

 our wary little friend, who, with a slight ripple and a tiny 

 splash is " gone under " in an instant, to reappear only at 

 a safer and more satisfactory distance. The cuteness and 

 wan activity of this little bird has long since become pro- 

 verbial amongst sportsmen, and before the introduction of 

 modern percussion guns it was a work of considerable 

 difficulty to shoot them. 



The food consists of aquatic insects, shrimps, small iisli 

 and their fry, and some sorts of vegetable substances. 



In common with other members of the Grebe family, 

 the Little Grebe builds its nest amongst, the reedy, rushy 

 herbage that fringes the banks or sides of its Favourite 

 resorts. The nest, which is much larger than the usual 



