200 
ALLEN’S naturalist’s LIBRARY. 
slightly larger form, L. Mboelli, which ranges from Greenland 
q'"‘" ‘rr TK Turkestan, according to 
Seyertzoff. Tins form is very doubtfully distinct from L. 
gnsetgcna. It has a wing of y-a-g-a inches, whereas the wing 
rw inches; thus it will be seen 
that the dimensions of the wing in these two forms overlap. 
Habits.— Seebohm, who had opportunities of studying this 
species in its native habits, writes “ In North Germany it is 
a veiy common bird, arriving late in March or early in April 
f f r exclusively an in- 
habitant of lakes and ponds, where sedge or reeds abound. 
On small ponds solitary pairs are found, but on the larger 
lakes great numbers breed together, though the nests are 
down amongst the reeds, and not clustered 
tOt,ether in a colony. The nests are sometimes placed in the 
recesses of the thick reed-beds, but quite as often they can be 
seen at a considerable distance in localities where the reeds are 
only hah-grown and thinly sprinkled over the water. The nest 
IS ahvays floating, so that it can rise or fall with the water, and 
is considerably less than that of the Coot. It is somewhat 
carelessly made of reeds and decayed water-plants, and near 
each nest is a sort of sham nest, or foundation of a nest 
merely a few reeds laid together, which is used as a roostS 
place for the parent which, for the time being, is not occupied 
vyith the incubation of the eggs. Fresh eggs may be obta ned 
during the first half of May. IVhen the fhird egg s t id "Se 
bird begins to sit ; but it is ever on the look-oTit for danir 
‘ discovered, the approach of an 
intruder has been observed, the eggs have been carefully 
covered with black weeds to keep them warm, and the bird 
may be seen apparently feeding at a distance, looking as inno- 
cent and unconscious as possible.” 
Nest.— Made, like those of other Grebes, of reeds and de- 
cayed water-plants. 
f number. Greenish- white, covered 
with a chalky substance when fresh, but becoming discoloured 
to a buff or brown shade. Axis i '85-2 '15 inches, diameter 
* 4 - 
