NESTING-SERIES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 167 



No. 83. STOCK-DOVE. (Columba cenas.) 



This species has greatly increased in numbers of late years, extending 

 its range northward and is now plentiful in many parts of the north of 

 Scotland. The nesting-site varies greatly in different localities. In 

 districts where timber exists, pollards and holes in trees are generally 

 used, but in treeless areas the two white eggs are deposited in rabbit- 

 burrows or under the shelter of dense furze, while ivy on cliffs or old 

 walls, old nests of other birds, and squirrels' dreys are also made use of. 

 Several broods are raised during the year. 



Morayshire, May. 

 Presented by W. E. Ogilvie-Grant fy H. S. Reid, Esqrs. 



No. 84. GREAT CRESTED GREBE. (Podicipes cristatus.) 



This species nests on many of the more extensive and reedy sheets of 

 water throughout the British Islands, and is more or less resident in 

 England and Wales. In winter it is to be found on many parts of the 

 British coasts. Its food consists of small fish and Crustacea, and some- 

 times of tadpoles and frogs. The nest is usually a floating mass of wet 

 aquatic plants. The four or five eggs are white when fresh, but they 

 soon become stained with yellowish-brown from contact with the de- 

 composing vegetable matter on which they are laid. After the autumn 

 moult the crest and tippet disappear, the top of the head and back of 

 the neck become brown, and the throat and fore-neck silvery white. 



Leicestershire, May. 

 Presented by Theodore Walker, Esq. 



No. 85. LITTLE GREBE or DABCHICK. 



(Podicipes fluviatilis.) 



A common resident throughout the British Islands wherever reedy 

 streams, lakes, and ponds fringed with reeds are to be found. Small 

 fish, insects, and vegetable matter form its principal food, but in 

 winter marine animals are also eaten. The rather large nest of reeds 

 and decaying weeds is anchored to some aquatic plant or shrub. 

 The eggs, from four to six in number, are creamy white when fresh, 

 but soon become stained ; they are almost always covered over Avith 

 weeds by the sitting bird before it leaves the nest. In winter the 



