they move over towards the arms of the sea as winter
approaches, not remaining to be frozen out, and return early
in spring. The nest is frequently built in an exposed situation,
before the young reeds have sprouted sufficiently to
conceal it, and if plundered the bird immediately makes
another in the vicinity and lays again. The birds are more
prone to take flight in spring than at other seasons of the
year, but as soon as the eggs are deposited, both male
and female seem to trust entirely to their powers of
diving for preservation, and very seldom show themselves.
They generally dive away from their nest on being disturbed,
and thus frequently escape observation; a slight
vibration among the reeds being the only sign of their
departure. The nest is composed of half-rotten decaying
water-plants, nearly level with the surface of the water,
and is generally very wet. The eggs are usually four in
number, originally white, hut often becoming ochreous-brown
from mud and decomposing vegetable matter; average
measurements 2*2 by 1*5 in. The parent birds are very
careful of their young, taking them down with them for
security under their wings when they dive. They feed them
with young eels, and other small fish, some small Crustacea,
and a portion of vegetable food; tadpoles and small frogs
are also a favourite diet with them.
A fine adult specimen belonging to the Ornithological
Society lived in St. James’s Park more than twelve months.
This bird carried a good crest, which did not alter throughout
the winter, and in May it was of large size and fine in
colour. Unfortunately the Society possessed but a single
example of the species, apparently a male. This bird did
not associate with any of the other numerous water-fowl; he
swam low in the water, and generally kept out in the middle
of the widest part, frequently diving for food, occasionally
preening his plumage, and sometimes slept in mid-day, the
head turned half round, with the beak inserted and hidden
among the feathers on the back.
In all examples of the Great Crested Grebe which the
Author examined, the stomachs contained a portion of
feathers which appeared to have been taken from the white
under surface of their own bodies; and the same thing has
been noticed and recorded by others. This habit of swallowing
feathers appears to be peculiar to the Grebes, but from
fish bones being occasionally found mixed up with the feathers,
there is cause to suspect these birds bring up at will, from
the stomach, the more indigestible parts of their last meal,
as hawks, owls, shrikes and some other birds are known
to do. Some remarks upon this subject will be found in
Thompson’s ‘Birds of Ireland,’ vol. iii. pp. 179—183.
The Great Crested Grebe is only a straggler to the Faeroes,
and a rare visitor to Norway ; but it breeds in Southern
Sweden, Denmark, and on both sides of the Baltic; becoming
exceedingly abundant in some parts of Ptussia and
Poland. It frequents suitable localities throughout the rest
of Europe, breeding as far south as Spain ; also in North
Africa, Palestine, and Northern India. Its range extends
across Central Asia to China, and Japan; it is resident and
abundant in South Africa; and a closely-allied, if distinguishable,
form inhabits Australia, Tasmania, and New
Zealand. It has not, however, been found in North America,
where the birds recorded under the name of P. cristatus,
from the time of Audubon down to that of Coues and
Merriam, have hitherto proved to be examples of P. grisei-
gena, or some other species.
The under surface of the body of this bird being of a
delicate silvery whiteness, and of a shining silky appearance,
one of the names of this well-known bird is that of Satin
Grebe; and skins, from the beauty of their appearance, are
in great request for making muffs for ladies, or as trimming.
On the Lake of Geneva, which is frequented in autumn
by these birds, it is usual for sportsmen to make parties on
the lake to obtain specimens by shooting. The bird is there
called Grebe de Leman, and this sport, called la chasse du
Grebe, is referred to by M. Necker, in his paper on the
Birds of Geneva, and has been described to the Author
by an English gentleman who had pursued the amusement.
A party of four shooters hire a boat with able rowers, and