285 
constancy of these characters, before the question can he set at rest j but if the dark-breasted bird 
should hereafter prove to be a distinct species, I must claim from naturalists its recognition as the 
true Podiceps liectori. 
The Crested Grebe is, generally speaking, a rare bird in both Islands, but is more commonly 
met with in the southern portions of the Otago country than elsewhere. The late Mr. Wilmer 
informed me that during an expedition with Major Goring to Waikareiti, in the spiing of 
shot seven or eight of them on that lake, and he sent me the skin of one he had preserved. This is 
a curious fact in the distribution of this bird, seeing that Waikareiti is at a much higher elevation 
than Waikaremoana, where this Grebe has never yet been found. Like the Dabchick its local dis- 
tribution is quite unaccountable. I have already mentioned (on p. 281) a singular instance in the case 
of the latter species. Hurupaki is one of those deep, wood-fringed lakelets which lend such a charm 
to the bush-scenery of the North Island. I have before me now a large photograph of this picturesque 
spot, displaying through a gap in the forest a placid sheet of water, hemmed in to the very edge by a 
growth of underwood in rank profusion and reflecting on its mirror-like surface the sylvan beauty 
that surrounds it — a view of transcendent beauty and not to be excelled by any lake- scenery of its 
kind in the world. In this sequestered place, surrounded by woods and far removed from any other 
sheet of water, a solitary pair of Dabchicks had taken up their abode ; and, as with the fly m the 
piece of amber, the marvel was how they ever got there. In the case of strong-winged birds no 
surprise is occasioned by the occurrence of stragglers in places remote from their ordinary range ; but 
it is quite impossible to account for the appearance in such a locality of this little Grebe, which is 
altogether incapable of any prolonged flight, and is, moreover, from the position of its legs, very 
helpless on land. , ^ ^ 
Unlike the Dabchick, which is more or less gregarious, the Crested Grebe seems to love 
seclusion being generally met with singly or in pairs. It is a striking object on the water and swims 
with much grace ; and when two of them are associated or feeding together they have a pretty habit 
of meeting each other after each dive, and “ touching bills ” as if in token of their mutual confidence. 
Mr. Travers has so well described the habits of the Crested Grebe from personal observation, 
that I cannot do better than transcribe a portion of his paper, merely adding that, although I have 
had less favourable opportunities of studying the bird in its natural haunts, I can myself verify much 
of what he has written 
“ Podiceps cristatus is found at all seasons of the year upon Lake Guyon, a small lake in the 
Nelson Province, lying close under the Spencer mountain-range, and upon the borders of which the 
station buildings connected with a run occupied by me are situated. The water of this lake is 
generally very warm, and even in severe seasons has never been frozen over. To this fact I attribute 
the circumstance that some of these birds are to be found upon it throughout the year. There are 
several apparently permanent nests on the borders of the lake, which have been occupied by pairs of 
birds for many years in succession, from which I am led to infer that, as in the case of some of the 
Anatidm, these birds pair for life. These nests are built amongst the twiggy branches of trees which 
have fallen from the banks of the lake, and now lie half floating in its waters, and are formed of 
in-eo-ularly laid masses of various species of pond-weeds, chiefly Potamogeton, found growing in the 
lake"’ and which the birds obtain by diving. They are but little raised above the surface of the 
water ; for, in consequence of the position and structure of its feet, and the general form of its body, 
the Grebe is unable to raise itself upon the former unless the body be in great measure supported by 
water. 
“Both the male and female Grebe assist in the labour of incubation, although I believe that 
the chief part of this task devolves upon the female, and that she is only relieved by her partner for 
the purpose of enabling her to feed. Before the actual work of incubation commences, the e^^j^s are 
