2oo British Birds with their Nests and Eggs. 



"British Birds"), and Dann said that the Red-necked Grebe did not (Yarrell). 

 The observations of Mr. Henshaw, made in South Colorado, seem to show- 

 that these birds are more or less dependent for the hatching of their eggs 

 upon the artificial heat produced by the decaying water plants of which the 

 nests are made. (Coues' "Birds of the North-West"). 



Grebes appear to be naturally rather fearless birds, but when much per- 

 secuted no birds are more shy, or better able to conceal themselves and avoid 

 observation. The following observations by Lubbock, relating to the Crested Grebe, 

 are quoted by Hewitson. "In 1833 I knew of five Loons' nests upon a reedy pool, 

 where I was in the habit of setting nets and trimmers, and, arguing from pro- 

 bability, there were other nets of which I knew nothing, yet until the young 

 were hatched I only twice caught sight of a Grebe." This was in the days 

 when waterfowl of all kinds were habitually killed in the breeding season. Now, 

 however, that the Wild Bird's Protection Acts have been in force for some 

 years, and are generally observed, this fine Grebe has regained its confidence, 

 and I have never found any difficulty in watching it on various inland waters. 

 For another instance of the shyness which Grebes occasionally exhibit, the reader 

 may be referred to Mr. Abel Chapman's " Wild Norway." A South American 

 species fP. rollandij which I often saw in the lagunas on the rivers in Uruguay, 

 was wonderfully tame, I have frequently watched them from the banks of the 

 rivers at a very short distance. 



The adult male in summer has the bill (slightly upturned) black ; a small 

 bare space in front of the eye, reddish black. Head, chin, throat, and neck, all 

 round, extending on to the top of the breast, black, the feathers of the face, sides 

 of the head and nape elongated, and forming a small ruff. From behind and 

 below the eye springs a tuft of long narrow glossy feathers, which extends 

 backwards, the upper part of this is bright straw-colour, and the rest yellowish 

 chestnut. Back and upper parts generally blackish-brown — nearly black — with a 

 slight greenish gloss. Wings paler, and dusky. Primaries (partly) dusky grey with 

 dark shafts ; the outer five dark, except most of the lower part of the inner web, 

 which is white, the sixth has a good deal of white, seventh and eighth half or 

 more white, and three innermost* almost entirely white, but sometimes only the 

 two innermost can be so described. Secondaries white. Lower breast and 

 under parts (except the lowest part of the body, which is dusky, mixed with 

 chestnut) shining white; sides of the body and flanks rich chestnut red, mixed 

 with dusky. Legs, toes, and lobes nearly black, in dried skins, but described as 

 olive green when fresh. 



* Grebes are peculiar, or nearly so, in having as many as eleven primaries. 



