GREAT-CRESTED GREBE 



the lock, and the clanking of chains and the coarse cries of men 

 and boys rudely break the almost inaudible song of Nature, for 

 the gentle rustle of young leaves, the hum of insects' wings, the 

 distant swish of a Duck entering the lake, and a hundred other 

 notes combine to make a soft, pleasing murmur, which those 

 alone who can see the soul in Nature can hear and understand. 

 The Cuckoo ceases his call; Blackbirds, dropping across the meadow, 

 follow the Thrush to roost, and Larks, high above me, have lost 

 sight of the sunken sun. Tired labourers, slouching up the lane, 

 enter the little roadside inn, and when leaving, bid one another 

 a rough ' good night.' 



When the western colours have changed to a sombre grey, and 

 a sublime silence has settled over all, the Grebes out on the water 

 begin their evening meal. One after the other dives in search of 

 fish, and their loud, harsh calls : ker-u-war, ker-u-war, are heard 

 on all sides. Others are leaving the reeds, where their nests are 

 concealed, for their mates have already entered and taken their turn 

 at sitting. There are many nests in this favourite haunt, and 

 those well hidden in the yellow reeds already have young birds 

 swimming round them. Other nests which were built on the 

 outskirts of the reeds were washed away in a violent gale a few 

 days previously, and this accounts for the large number of pairs 

 to be seen on the lake. 



Before I succeeded in taking the accompanying photograph we 

 built a small platform on the lake, and then half surrounded it 

 with rushes, and I was able to get a very interesting series of 

 pictures of the bird in many positions. The Grebe is a shy bird, 

 and the one photographed was no exception, yet she became quite 

 used to my presence, and after I had been on the small platform 

 for the best part of two days, she allowed me to talk to her, and 

 actually took no notice when I showed myself above the rushes. 

 She even remained on her nest when I threw a roll of paper at 



25 D 



