882 PODICIPES 



In general habits the Little Grebe does not differ from its 

 allies, but does not take wing so readily as the two preceding 

 species, preferring to seek safety by diving. It frequents 

 inland lakes and ponds, especially where there is abundant 

 cover, and is shy and wary. It feeds on insects, larvae, small 

 fish, and frogs, and occasionally on vegetable matter. Its call- 

 note is a soft and not unpleasant bib-bibib, uttered several times 

 in succession. Its nest is a large mass of aquatic herbage 

 placed either near, or floating on, the water ; its eggs, 3 to 6 

 in number, which are usually laid late in April or early in May, 

 resemble those of P. nigricollis, but are much smaller, measuring 

 about 1*55 by T04. After a very short period of incubation 

 the eggs of all the Grebes become very discoloured, and are 

 sometimes dark brown. The young of all our Grebes resemble 

 the adult in winter dress but are duller, and the young in 

 down are blackish or brownish above, striped with rufous or 

 whitish brown, the under parts white. 



