HABITS OF THE GREAT CRESTED GREBE. 169 



cease, for the more cessation the less killing in the long run — the 

 end should sanctify the means. 



May 8th. — At 1.40 p.m. find both birds off the nest, and I can 

 see, through the glasses, at least two of the white eggs quite dis- 

 tinctly. There was no question of the birds having been alarmed 

 by me, for I was much beyond the limit at which I have ever 

 alarmed them before. It would seem therefore as if the birds did 

 not cover their eggs in leaving when not disturbed. In a minute 

 or two the male makes his leap on to the nest, and sits on the 

 eggs. In coming up to the tree from which I watch, I do not 

 this time disturb him. As usual, I soon lose sight of the female, 

 who has swum right away. 



1.40. — The female returns to the nest, swimming quietly up 

 to it. I do not see her till she is there. The male then stands 

 up, gives himself a preen or two with the beak, and takes the 

 water, when the hen with hardly a pause jumps up. She stands 

 a little, and moves the weeds about with her beak before settling 

 down. The male, on leaving, goes to the bank, and (I think 

 without diving) brings from it to the nest a small piece of weed. 

 He then swims twice a little distance out, dives, and, coming up 

 each time with a good beakful, brings them both to the nest, and 

 the female afterwards arranges them upon it with hfer beak. 

 Thus day by day, while the birds are sitting, the bulk of the 

 nest is added to, and always, so far as I have yet seen, by the 

 male bird. 



2. — The male bird has also now gone a good way off, but I 

 still see him on the water. 



2.25. — The male back at the nest, and there is now more 

 arranging of the weeds by the two birds together. After this the 

 male swims off again, there being no change on the nest. 



2.55. — The female leaves the nest, in alarm, I think, at an 

 approaching boy in charge of a flock of Sheep. 



May 17th. — Upon coming here to watch again I find the nest 

 plundered and destroyed. 



May Idth. — Coming again this morning, about 6.30 a.m., I see 

 one bird swimming by itself in the neighbourhood of the destroyed 

 nest, and farther off a pair of them. 



After some time the single male bird swims to and meets the 

 female of the other two, she having swum to him, leaving her 



