THE LITTLE GREBE 285 



British Islands. It is more gregarious than the Little Grebe, 

 and shyer, otherwise very closely resembles it in all its habits. 

 It is seldom met with on small pools, but prefers to frequent 

 large lakes, and is especially partial to the open broads. 

 Where the bird is common, numbers of nests are made close 

 together. These are generally floating structures amongst the 

 reeds, made of rushes, flags, and aquatic vegetation of all 

 kinds. The eggs, from three to five in number, are similar to 

 those of the preceding species, but of course are almost double 

 the size. This handsome bird is distinguished from all the 

 other Grebes by its large size. Were it not for the lamentable 

 manner in which this poor bird is killed for the sake of its- 

 downy plumage, there can be no doubt that its numbers 

 would soon increase, and its presence lend life and ornament 

 to many a now solitary rush-fringed pool. When will ladies 

 cease to follow the fashion of wearing Grebe's and other 

 birds' skins for ornament ? a practice which costs so many 

 innocent lives every year, and robs so many wild scenes of 

 their fairest charm ! 



