DUCK-LIKE DIVING BIRDS. 231 



in winter it appears also upon the seas about our 

 coasts generally. Except when occupied with its 

 nest in the reeds, the Grebe keeps to the open water, 

 the sharp-billed head at right angles to the long, 

 perpendicular neck, and the low-curved back little 

 above the surface of the water. Even at a distance 

 the divided crest appears plainly when the bird 

 turns beak-on towards the observei', looking like hair 

 parted down the middle. The bright-chestnut expan- 

 sible ruff below the throat is clearly visible at all 

 angles. As the bird swims the head is continually 

 turned to one side or the other to keep watch. At 

 intervals it dives, yet scarcely dives so much as 

 disappears, going down instantaneously and with no 

 disturbance of the water. After fifteen to twenty 

 seconds it reappears some ten to twenty yards ahead. 

 In spring the male and female birds have peculiar 

 lovfe antics, facing one another, ruffing out their 

 tippets, and after shaking their heads, fencing playfully 

 with their long bills. When the young are out, the 

 old bird sometimes takes them fo^ a sail on its back, 

 its wings heaved up to form a bulwark. After a 

 while, laying its neck straight along the surface of the 

 water, it trumpets loudly ' Kek ! leek ! ' and down drop 

 the bulwarks and overboard go the youngsters. The 

 old birds dive continually, bringing up small fish, to 

 receive which the nearest young one swims quickly 

 to meet them. They bring up also aquatic plants 

 and overhaul them at the surface. The crest and 

 rufi', and the long, low-sunk body, of the Great 

 Crested Grebe are suiEciently characteristic to cause 

 it to be readily distinguished from any Duck or Duck- 

 like bird. 



