18 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
at 7 lbs. 7 oz. I did not see it until it was set up, but it struck 
me as being rather a small bird: some years ago I weighed 
one, which was shot in Lincolnshire, and it turned the scale at 
11 lbs. 2 oz. 
ON THE HABITS OF THE GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 
PODICEPS CRISTATUS. 
By C. R. Gawen, F.Z.S. 
Tue breeding places of this interesting bird in Britain are, I 
believe, from their size and surroundings, rather unfavourable to the 
acquirement of minuter details respecting their breeding habits. 
Having been favoured by circumstances which rendered observa- 
tion easy, I think the following notes on the habits of this 
species may, perhaps, be interesting to readers of ‘ The Zoologist.’ 
A pool on which a pair of Great Crested Grebes has, for the 
past two years nested, is about twenty-five acres in extent; as 
there is no marginal growth of reeds or sedges, the surface is 
open and exposed, insomuch that by hiding behind a tree, or even 
by remaining motionless on the open bank, I have, with the aid 
of a pair of binoculars, been able to witness much that was 
interesting in the domestic life of these birds. 
For many years previous to 1887, a solitary Great Crested 
Grebe had made its appearance upon this pool in spring, but 
made no long stay, owing, I believe, to the presence with his 
harem of that persistent bully, the domestic gander. z 
In April, 1887 (the geese having been exiled), two Grebes 
came to our pool; the male arriving on the 7th of that month, 
the female ten days later on the 17th. These birds were not, 
presumably, already paired, and they occupied their time chiefly 
in courtship ; not finally deciding upon a nesting-site until May 
17th, nor laying eggs until the second week in June. A nest was 
begun earlier than this, but abandoned for some reason or other. 
During the period of courtship, the Grebes were seldom far 
apart from each other; their favourite mode of flirtation or 
salutation consisted in facing one another at a distance of one or 
two feet, and shaking their crested heads rapidly from side to side. 
Viewed from behind, this pretty gesture had the appearance of the 
birds sparring or fencing with their bills. Once, when I suppose 
