In the course of these pages we have often had to lament the extermination or decrease of many species, so that it is a real pleasure to have to record that a fine species like the present has increased abundantly of late years.
This has been largely brought about by very strict protection, and although still local, there are many places where it is now common, and in Scotland it breeds on several lochs as far north as Aberdeenshire. In Ireland also it nests in several localities. It is practically a resident and may be found with us at all times of the year, but after the breeding season the majority leave their summer haunts and may be found in the estuaries and bays along the coast. The nest is a large floating mass of decaying vegetation generally well hidden among thick reeds, though occasionally it is placed in the open. The eggs, usually four in number, are yellowish white when first laid, but soon become stained to a dirty brown from contact with the decaying vegetable matter with which they are always covered when the sitting bird leaves the nest. The young when first hatched are dark brown, longitudinally striped with white; they are carefully tended by both their parents, who often carry them on their backs. The food consists of fish, crustaceans, and any other living food which may be found.
This bird may usually be seen swimming about in the centre of the open water, its long neck and low flat back enabling it to be easily recognised.
It flies well and strongly, appearing when on the wing rather like a Duck.
In winter it is dark brown above and white below, but in spring it assumes a chestnut tippet which surrounds the face; the crown of the head is dark brown, the cheeks and a stripe over the eye white.
The female is rather duller but otherwise resembles the male. The young in their first plumage are much like the adults in winter. Length 21 in.; wing 7·5 in.
THE RED-NECKED GREBE
Podicipes griseigena (Boddaert)
On the east coast of England this species is not uncommon during the winter months, and in some seasons becomes quite abundant. Elsewhere in our area it is decidedly rare, and not more than five or six examples are recorded from Ireland. It is plentiful in the south of Scandinavia, the Baltic, and North Russia, whence it migrates southwards throughout Europe in the winter. In habits and food it does not appreciably differ from the preceding species.
The crown and nape are blackish, upper parts dark brown with a white patch on the secondaries.
Cheeks, chin, and throat grey; neck rich chestnut red; rest of under parts white. Length 18 in.; wing 7 in.