418 THE GREBES 



GREAT CRESTED-GREBE 

 [W. P. PYCRAFT] 



The great crested-grebe is the largest and handsomest of our 

 native Grebes, and the one which has been most carefully studied. 

 Yet there is one fact in regard to its life-history that would never have 

 been discovered by the closest study of its habits in these islands. 

 And this concerns its response to climatic influences. Few birds have 

 such an extended breeding range, remarks Seebohm, as the great 

 crested-grebe. Without entering into details, it will suffice to say that 

 it occurs throughout the whole of the Old World, excepting only the 

 more northerly regions and the lowlands of the tropics. In Africa, 

 for example, it occurs not only in isolated regions, and at relatively 

 high altitudes, but also in Marocco, where it breeds in huge colonies ; 

 while it thrives no less readily as far north as Finland. Our native 

 birds, from early spring to late autumn, distribute themselves over 

 the greater part of England, Wales, and Ireland, contriving to find a 

 comfortable livelihood wherever there is a sufficiency of open water 

 and reeds to assure their food and concealment. Large ponds and 

 lakes are alike favoured by them. But during the actual winter 

 months they forsake these haunts for the sea, even in districts like 

 the Norfolk Broads, which are all within a few miles of their haven. 



The migration to the sea takes place during November, and this 

 journey is preceded by the formation of flocks during October. Early 

 in February they return in bands to their inland haunts, and for a 

 while herd together. But by the end of this month they begin to 

 pair up. By the beginning of April nest-building has begun. May 

 witnesses the appearance of the young, and from this time to the 

 flocking in October these birds are generally supposed to live in family 



