142 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



quents during summer every rushy pool, every lake, 

 large and small, throughout the country, and in the 

 winter all the harbours and tidal waters as well. A 

 merry little sprite he is, fluttering along the surface 

 when put up, or diving ceaselessly all the day. His 

 feet are larger for his size than are those of any other 

 Diver, and appear to weigh the bird down when fly- 

 ing, as he drags them dip, dipping along the water 

 behind him. These little fellows dive instantly on 

 alighting when alarmed, not giving so much as a 

 glance round first ; and on reappearing after a dive, 

 will spring on the wing without resting one second 

 on the surface. Away they dart, hurrying along for 

 many yards, then suddenly stop and vanish under- 

 neath. I have often found their nests, but always 

 with great difficulty. When leaving it for a bathe, 

 for food or drink, they will cover the eggs with 

 water-plants and weeds, or pluck the sides of the 

 nest over the centre. The nest then looks like a 

 little lump of moss or slime, and sometimes drifts to 

 and fro with the wind. They will also, it is said, 

 dive away with the chicks under the wing till 

 danger is passed.* I once shot a Great Crested 

 Grebe flying, when two young ones dropped from 

 the bird into the water. I could scarce credit any 

 bird being able to sustain its flight and at the same 

 time grip an object under the wing. I feel sure 

 that, when such an incident occurs, it is on the 

 back, and not under the wing, that the young 

 are placed. As in the case of the Shelduck before 



* This has been proved in the case of the Sclavonian Grebe. 

 See " The Ornithology of Shakespeare," by J. E. Harting, pp. 204, 

 205. 



