103



I shall follow wherever possible the nomenclature and

arrangement of Mr. H. E. Dresser, who, in his Birds of Europe,

Vol. VIII., has given excellent figures and accounts of most of

the species with which I shall here have occasion to deal.


I. Podiceps cristatus. The Great Crested Grebe.


In January 1896 I procured from the Calcutta Bazaar a

fine specimen of this species, which, however, had its legs broken

or dislocated at the hock. In consequence of this, though the

feet retained their normal position, it was quite helpless on land,

and could only paddle very feebly in the water.


I nevertheless kept it for some days closely confined in a

small cage, in the hope that the injured limbs might recover, but

although the bird, after a day or two, fed well upon fish, and

seemed strong and lively, its feet got no better ; and when I

ultimately turned it out on the Museum compound tank it soon

disappeared, having probably drifted ashore and been stolen, or

fallen a prey to some jackal.


When confined, though, as above noted, it took ordinary

fish readily (I have seen it eat a dozen as long as large sprats

and thicker, and then want more) it did not seem to like prawns,

nor did it eat a small siluroid fish which I offered.


On two occasions I saw it deliberately eat one of its own

feathers which came out while it was pluming itself, an operation

in which, like Grebes generally, it was exceedingly assiduous.


It did not, however, reproduce either feathers or fish-bones

in the form of “ castings,” as suspected by Yarrell (British

Birds, Vol. IV., p. 121, Fourth Edition) ; I am certain of this,

having had the bird under such close observation. I did,

however, notice that its excrement was gritty, as if containing

particles of comminuted bone; and I think that anyone who

reads the evidence given on this point by Thompson in his

“Birds of Ireland,” Vol. III., pp. 173-189 (reference given by

Yarrell loc. cit.') will agree with me that there is every reason to

believe that this points to the conclusion that no castings are

formed, and that feathers and bones are either actually digested

or passed out in a comminuted condition.


This bird was of course in winter plumage, but kept its

short ruff and ear-tufts expanded when in the cage. The bill

was pink except the upper chap at the tip along the ridge and

down to the nostrils where it was dark lead-colour. The iris

was brilliant red.


Owing to the crippled condition of the bird I was unable

to make any observations as to the power of walking in this



