THE CRESTED GREBE OR GAUNT. 



353 



CRESTED GREBE AND YOUNG. 



The nest of the Crested Grebe, concealed among the reeds and flags 

 of the ponds in which they dwell in the summer, is made of rushes, and 

 the coarse aquatic herbage contiguous to the chosen spot, and so con- 

 structed as often to float about on the rise of the surrounding water 

 which penetrates it, notwithstanding which the female still sits stead- 

 fastly on the floating habitation, defended securely from the access of 

 the water, by the density of her oily and downy plumage. The eggs, 

 three or four, are of a whitish-green, waved, or, as it were, soiled 

 with deep b.-own. The young are fed with small eels and fry. 



