248 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



THE CRESTED GREBE. Podiceps cristatus. The Grebes 

 present us with another form of the Colymbidse. In these 

 the toes are unconnected but widely lobed ; the plumage is 

 very close and of a silken appearance ; they are more frequent 

 on fresh waters than on the sea, and fly with reluctance. 

 Their eggs are quite peculiar in their form, being thickest 

 in the middle, and tapering pretty equally towards the ends ; 

 originally they are of a chalky- white, with perhaps a slight 

 tinge of blue, but they soon become soiled by contact with 

 the materials of the nest. The present is perhaps the largest 

 species of the genus, and in the plumage of incubation has 

 an imposing appearance, from the rich colouring and ample 

 adornments of the head and neck. It is a native of our 

 country, breeding early, and placing its nest, formed of de- 

 cayed plants, among the reeds. The nest, partially immersed 

 in the water, is raised some inches above it; and in a cavity 

 on the top, the eggs, originally white, but often greatly 

 stained, and from three to five in number, are deposited. 

 The nest, when left by the bird, is often covered with frag- 

 ments of reeds for the purpose of concealment, and the bird, 

 if disturbed on the nest, stealthily dives beneath the water, 

 rising again at a great distance from the spot at which the 

 clanger appeared* 



