442 ANSERES. COLYMBID^E. 



on being put into a large washing-bowl half filled 

 with water, swam awhile; but repeatedly, when 

 alarmed, by striking vigorously with both feet to- 

 gether, leaped clean over the edge of the basin. 

 When on the floor, it ran a few steps at a time, 

 very well, but grotesquely ; the body elevated on 

 the legs almost perpendicularly ; but ever and anon, 

 as its first impetus slackened, it fell on its breast, and 

 sometimes rolled over. After a while, however, be- 

 coming more calm, it walked more easily, still much 

 raised on the legs ; but would suddenly squat down 

 on the belly, and so remain. 



Early in August, I found near the edge of Mount 

 Edgecumbe pond a nest of this Grebe a round 

 heap of pond-weed and rotten leaves, flattened at 

 the top, and slightly hollowed ; it was about fifteen 

 inches wide, and six or eight thick. The top was 

 damp, but not wet, and very warm from exposure 

 to the sun's rays. We drew it on shore, for it was 

 entangled among the branches of a fallen tree, but 

 not attached to them, and presently found on the 

 matted weed, just below the surface in the place 

 where we had dragged it, a large white egg, exces- 

 sively begrimed with dirt, doubtless from lying on 

 the decaying leaves. On being cleansed, I found it 

 covered with a chalky coat, easily scratched off. 



A few weeks after, I again visited this pond. On 

 approaching before sun-rise, (for I had travelled by 

 the brilliant starlight of the tropical heavens,) I saw 

 a Grebe sitting on a new nest, in the same spot as I 

 had found the former one : this nest was composed 

 of similar materials, and contained four eggs. Early 



