726 F. Finn — Notes on various species of Grebes. [No. 4, 



1. Podiceps cristatus. The Great Crested Grebe. 



In January 1896 I procured from the Calcutta Bazaar a fine speci- 

 men of this species, which, however, had its legs broken or dislocated 

 at the hock. In con sequence 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 would 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. Ill, pp. 173-189 (reference given by 

 Yarrell he. 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 com- 

 minuted condition. 



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

 and ear-tufts expanded when in the cage. It had the bill 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 species ; but this 

 deficiency I was able to supply when at home on leave last October, a 

 young bird having been acquired by the London Zoological Gardens. 

 This specimen, as my own had been, was very savage, drawing blood 

 freely from my hands when I attempted to make it move. Although 

 inclined merely to squat and shove itself along, it could and did walk, but 

 with reluctance, and for a short distance only, standing up on its toes 



