Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/486

456 They also get over by the opposite shore, close in and together, and I am expecting a repetition of the curious actions I saw before, and which directly preceded the pairing on the nest. Nothing of the sort takes place, however, and in whatever way this diving may have begun, the birds are soon merely fishing. I wait till about 8.30, and then walk down to the nest, and once more carefully examine it. It is certainly a made structure, but, as certainly, altogether slight and insignificant, compared to those of last year. One might call it a degenerate nest, and it certainly suggests the idea that it has only been constructed—up to the present, at least—for the purpose for which it has alone been used.

May 11th.—Arrive at 7 a.m., and see the Grebes confronting, &c. Shortly afterwards they swim to the accustomed place, and the female—who leads the way—lies along upon the water amongst the growing weeds. The male goes up to her, appearing interested, but all at once he turns right round, so that the two are tail to tail, and lowers his own head, lying along in the same way, but not to such a complete extent. Both, then, resume the normal attitude, and, approaching each other, the male passes the female, and, pressing to the nest, ascends it, and lies along in the customary manner. The female, however, though her actions show that she is quite aware of the state of the case, does not respond, and the male, soon taking the water again, first dives and places a piece of weed on the nest, and the two then swim away together and float, dive and preen themselves, as usual. At 7.30 the male swims to the nest, and lies along on the water close to it. He is followed by the female, who, when she arrives at the patch of weeds, does the same; but there is nothing further, and, very shortly, the two swim off together. At 8.15 both again swim to the nest, and the male, who is much in advance, ascends and lies along it, as before. This, however, has the effect of making the female turn and swim out to some little way, as though coyly. The male comes off and follows her, when, turning, she eagerly swims to him; but when they join there is nothing particular between them. There have thus, this morning, been several visits paid to the nest with the idea of pairing, and two ascensions by the male. Now the morning is fine and warm, the lake once more a sun-bath, though