90 
PROVINCIAL. 
CARGOOSE, GAUNT, GREATER 
DOBCHICK 
The crested Grebe measures twenty-one 
inches in length, and about thirty in extent 
of wing. 
The oldf female is a little smaller than 
the male ; the feathers of the crest and ruff 
are rather shorter, and the colours some- 
what duller than those of the male ; in 
other respects the sexes do not differ. 
This species is common in the fens and 
lakes in various parts of England, where 
they breed and rear their young. Th<f fe- 
male conceals her nest among the flags and 
reeds which grow in the water, upon which 
it floats, and hatches her eggs amidst the 
moisture which oozes through it. The nest 
is constructed with various kinds of fibres, 
stalks, and leaves of water plants; she lays 
* The variety of species which authors appear to have 
made from this bird, occasioned us to be at considerable pains 
to procure specimens for examination. We are particularly 
indebted to .our friend Hezekiah Martyn, for specimens of 
the male and female, shot from their nest; and to Mr. W. H. 
Smith, of Yarmouth, for the immature bird. 
