GREAT CRESTED GREBE,- PodiCcps crisUitus. 



EARED OREBE.—Podiceps auritm. 



The Geeat Crested Grebe is the largest of these birds, and is found throughout the 

 year in several parts of England, preferring the lakes and the fenny districts. Like the 

 divers, the Grebes are very bad walkers, but wonderfully active in the water, and tolerably 

 good fliers. They very seldom attempt to walk, and when sitting they bend their legs 

 under them, and assume a very upright attitude. The Crested Grebe swims low in the 

 water, and dives with great facility, chasing and capturing fish, on Avhich it chiefly feeds. 

 It is a rather curious fact that all these birds have a halut o(" swallowing feathers, 

 apparently plucked from their own breasts. 



On account of the great activity of the bird. Grebe-shooting from a boat is a favourite 

 amusement on the Lake of Geneva, the odds being fearfully against the bird — boats, guns, 

 and telescopes being all employed and all needed. Moreover, unless the boatmen are 

 A^ery skilful, well acquainted with the habits of the bird, and know exactly in which 

 direction to row when the Grebe dives, the great activity and remarkable endurance of 

 the bird will certainly secure its safe retreat. 



The nest of the Great Crested Grebe is made of decaying vegetation, and is placed so 

 close to the water that it is seldom dry, the bird feeling no discomfort in a wet bed. There 

 are generally three or four while; eggs, and the young are very pretty little l)irds, covered 

 with soft downy plumage, and boldly striped with grey and black from beak to tail. 



In the adult Crested Grebe the top of the head is dark brown, the cheeks wliitc, and 

 the curious tippet reddish chestnut, darkening round the edge. The back of the neck and 

 u]»per surface is dark brown, the secondaries are white, and the whole under surface is 

 white, with a peculiar satiny lustre. The flanks are fawn, and the legs and toes dark 

 green on their outer surfaces, chanuing to yellow on the inner. The crest is small in 



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