LITTLE GREBE. 
21 
The reproduction of the species takes place wherever 
the locality suits its habits, the nest being mostly placed 
on some few stunted remains of last year’s rushes, &c., 
and generally securely located in order to make the approach 
of men or beast difficult on account of the nature of the 
ground. Where the remains of rushes of the former year 
are wanting, the nest is placed among fresh rushes on the 
surface of the water, so that it floats on its surface, but so 
surrounded Avith reeds and leaves that it cannot Avell be 
carried away by the stream; the nest itself is formed of 
a large mass of decayed roots, flags, and rushes, and gene¬ 
rally contains from five to six eggs, in size and colour 
as represented in our plate; this egg may easily be dis¬ 
tinguished from that of other Grebes by its more lengthened 
form. 
The present species measures ten inches in length; the 
beak one inch ; the wing four inches and a quarter; the 
tarsus one inch three lines. The legs and feet of this 
species are very large in proportion to the size of the 
bird, and placed so very much towards the hinder part of 
the body, that walking is one of the most difficult manoeuvres 
for it to perform. 
The adult Little Grebe in summer has the crown of 
the head and the nape deep sooty black; the cheeks, 
sides, and front part of the neck bright chestnut; the upper 
parts of the plumage dark olivaceous brown ; the rump redder 
brown; the primary quills brownish ash ; the secondaries 
white at their base and inner webs; the under parts are 
dusky tinged with cinereous, and darkest on the breast, 
sides, and vent; the thighs are reddish; the beak is black ; 
the tip, base, and lore yellowish ; eyes burnt umber; the 
legs externally olivaceous dusky, and internally livid flesh- 
colour. 
