92 BRITISH BIRDS 
sembles the storm-petrel, but is at once recognised by its 
larger size (8 in.), the markedly forked tail, and the grey on 
the wing-coverts and secondaries. 
Nest. Onrocky sea-washed islands, under stones or boulders, 
in crevices of rocks or ruins, in burrows made by the bird or 
in those of rabbits. Scrape unlined or lined with a few 
grasses, &. 
Egg. One. Chalky-white, more or less zoned with reddish- 
brown spots round the bigger end. Av. size, 11x -°84 in. 
Laying begins end May-June, or later. One brood. 
XII. ORDER: COLYMBIFORMES. (1) SUBORDER: 
PODICEPEDES 
Family : Podicepidide—Grebes 
183. Great crested-grehbe [Colymbus cristatus Linneeus ; Podi- 
ctpes cristatus (Linnseus)]. Breeds on fresh water lakes in most 
parts of the British Isles, except north 
of the Grampians. Local movement to 
the coasts in winter. 
Bird. Length 21 in. The Family has 
tail almost absent, toes lobed (Fig. 109). 
Species recognised by the dark brown of 
: the crest, crown, and upper-parts, the 
Fig. 108. chestnut tippet or ruffle with blackish 
margin, the white secondaries conspicuous 
in flight, and the white under-parts. Female duller, with smaller 
crest and tippet. The young are said to show little crest or 
chestnut colour till the second year. 
Nest. In the shallows of ert | So ¥) NN 
either floating on the surface attached SAY TT/||Jemnmr> 
to surrounding reeds or other aquatic eu ss «i 
plants, or built up from the bottom. Si 
Material: a mass of aquatic plants. Fig. 109. 
Kiggs usually covered when bird not on. f 
Eggs. Usually 4. Chalky-white, pale bluish or greenish-white, 
but soon stained dirty brownish by con- 
tact with wet weeds. Av. size, 2°20 x 1-44 
in. Laying begins April-May. Broods 
2 
184. Little-grebe or dabchick [Colym- 
bus ruficollis Pallas ; Podicipes fluviatilis 
(Tunstall)]. Resident. Also found gener- 
Fig. 110 ally distributed on our rivers, lakes, and 
a ponds. Found on the coast in winter. 
Bird. Length 9} in., therefore much smaller than the pre- 
SB) AyVnyny 
ae, 
