COLYMB1D.E. 249 



THE BED-NECKED GREBE. Podiceps rudricollis. This 

 Grebe does not breed in Britain, or at least is not known to 

 do so, but is a winter visitor. It has been found breeding 

 in the shallow reedy lakes at the head of the Bothnian Gulf, 

 making its nest, like the rest of the species, amongst reeds 

 and rushes, and laying four or five eggs, which at first are 

 white, slightly tinted at times with blue ; but which after- 

 wards become discoloured by contact with the nest. It is 

 also an American species, and recorded as such by the inde- 

 fatigable naturalist Audubon. 



THE HORNED OR SCLAVONIAN GREBE. Podiceps cornutus. 

 Whether this species breeds in Britain we cannot say, but 

 in Iceland it is reported to be rather common, forming its 

 nest of reeds and other water-plants upon the surface of the 

 water, so that it may rise or fall with any change in the level 

 of the loch. The eggs, which are at first white with a slight 

 tinge of blue, are four or five in number. In its winter 

 plumage this bird is not uncommon in England, and in 

 Scotland is said to be, in this state, the most abundant spe- 

 cies next to the Little Grebe, and to range from the Tweed 

 to Shetland. 



THE EARED GREBE. Podiceps auritus. This is perhaps 

 the rarest of the British species. Its habits resemble those 



