172 



frequently keep company ; at times but one of the 

 parents remaining with the school of young, while 

 the others are following their own devices ; this 

 often gives rise to the idea that the family of the 

 Merganser is more numerous than it really is. 



The male and female were shot in Gairloch off 

 the west coast of Eoss-shire it May, 1868, the young 

 being obtained on Loch Shin in Sutherland the 

 following month. 



See " Rough Notes," Vol. III., Plates 15, 16, 17. 



GREAT CEESTED GREBE. (MATURE AND 



NESTLINGS). 

 Case 250. 



After all the persecution that this curious bird 

 has undergone for the sake of its feathers, it is a 

 remarkable fact that it is still numerous in several 

 parts of Great Britain, and though its haunts are 

 rapidly becoming restricted by drainage and other 

 innovations the Broads in the eastern counties with 

 their extensive reed-beds are likeiy to afford it a 

 safe asylum for several years to come. 



During winter, even should the weather prove 

 mild, the majority of these birds take their 

 departure from their summer quarters and are 

 found for the most part singly either on the tidal 

 rivers or the open sea. 



The summer plumage is acquired early in the 

 year. I have observed specimens with the frill or 

 ruff fully developed in February and March, and on 

 one occasion as soon as January 18th. 



The nest of this species is a large accumulation 

 of the stems of the reed amongst which it is built, 

 the whole of the structure together with its contents 

 being perpetually moist. 



In three or four instances where I have closely 

 watched the habits of this bird I have discovered 

 that the eggs were regularly laid on alternate days ; 



