456 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



They also get over by the opposite shore, close in and together, 

 and I am expecting a repetition of the curious actions I saw 

 before, and which directly preceded the pairing on the nest. 

 Nothing of the sort takes place, however, and in whatever way 

 this diving may have begun, the birds are soon merely fishing. I 

 wait till about 8.30, and then walk down to the nest, and once 

 more carefully examine it. It is certainly a made structure, but, 

 as certainly, altogether slight and insignificant, compared to those 

 of last year. One might call it a degenerate nest, and it certainly 

 suggests the idea that it has only been constructed — up to the 

 present, at least — for the purpose for which it has alone been 

 used. 



May lI</^.— Arrive at 7 a.m., and see the Grebes confronting, 

 &c. Shortly afterwards they swim to the accustomed place, and 

 the female — who leads the way — lies along upon the water 

 amongst the growing weeds. The male goes up to her, appear- 

 ing interested, but all at once he turns right round, so that the 

 two are tail to tail, and lowers his own head, lying along in the 

 same way, but not to such a complete extent. Both, then, 

 resume the normal attitude, and, approaching each other, the 

 male passes the female, and, pressing to the nest, ascends it, and 

 lies along in the customary manner. The female, however, 

 though her actions show that she is quite aware of the state of 

 the case, does not respond, and the male, soon taking the water 

 again, first dives and places a piece of weed on the nest, and 

 the two then swim away together and float, dive and preen them- 

 selves, as usual. At 7.30 the male swims to the nest, and lies 

 along on the water close to it. He is followed by the female, 

 who, when she arrives at the patch of weeds, does the same ; but 

 there is nothing further, and, very shortly, the two swim off 

 together. At 8.15 both again swim to the nest, and the male, 

 who is much in advance, ascends and lies along it, as before. 

 This, however, has the efi'ect of making the female turn and swim 

 out to some little way, as though coyly. The male comes off 

 and follows her, when, turning, she eagerly swims to him; but 

 when they join there is nothing particular between them. There 

 have thus, this morning, been several visits paid to the nest with 

 the idea of pairing, and two ascensions by the male. Now the 

 morning is fine and warm, the lake once more a sun-bath, though 



