6 MUri'ISH BIRDS. [vol. xiv. 



lining, in the bottom of tlie well-hollowed cavit}', was very 

 wet and soggy, being only slightly above the water surface 

 when the nest was unoccupied, and probably below it when 

 the weight of the bird w^as added to that of the nest. This 

 lining was composed of decaying vegetation which was 

 decidedly warm to the touch, in the sunshine, while the wet 

 rim of the nest was cold. The eggs of this set were taken. 



My next visit, on the eighteenth of June, disclosed the fact 

 that the Grebes were not only present but were building a 

 new nest not far from the old one. The nest seemed nearly 

 completed. The two birds were floating near each other 

 on the open water, preening their plumage in the ostentatious 

 manner previously described. 



At seven-thirty on the morning of June 21st, the new nest 

 contained two eggs, partially covered, especially on the north- 

 west side, which was the direction from which I approached 

 the slough. There was a striking difference in the colouring 

 of the two eggs, in view of the slight difference in their ages. 

 One egg was a drab-tinted cream ; the other a beautiful 

 greenish tint with a freshness and delicacy which is difficult 

 to describe, and which marked it as having just been deposited 

 by the bird. 



When I approached on the morning of June 24th, the Grebe 

 was on her nest. She made herself as inconspicuous as 

 possible by holding her head down, close to the nest rim. 

 As I came within twenty-five or thirty yards of the nest the 

 bird hastily pulled a covering of green-stuff over the eggs 

 and slid silently into the water, disappearing completely. 

 Although I watched for some time I did not succeed in 

 catching even a glimpse of either of the birds. 



On the occasion of the next visit (June 26th) I found the 

 nest lightly covered with fresh green stems and blades which 

 had been plucked by the bird. At the time I made the 

 notation in my field book : " Never see the birds on the 

 open water any more." However, on the next day, some 

 time after I had left the nest, I did see one of the Grebes 

 floating on the open water. The eggs had again been covered 

 wnth fresh vegetation. 



On the evening of July 12th, one of the birds was observed 

 floating, silent and solemn, with head toward me, at the 

 farthest side of the open water. It was evident at this time 

 that the birds had changed their dress since my acquaintance 

 with them at their first nest, for no yellow " horns " were now 

 visible. 



On July 13th, finding only four eggs in the nest, and pieces 



