49 



CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMON BIRDS. 



BY O. S. ROUND, ESQ. 



( Continued from page 30. ) 



Besides those birds which are commonly about our path, as we wander" 

 in the country, or even make the more limited tour of our garden, there 

 are others no less common, which we must, however, go somewhat out of 

 our way to see, and whose home is removed from the ordinary haunts of 

 men; and perhaps this observation chiefly applies to the waders and Ducks, 

 although there are also denizens of the moor of whom it is equally true. 

 Almost the earliest remembrance I have of studying the habits of the 

 feathered tribes is connected with the solitude of the secluded brook or 

 lonely pool, those quiet unmolested nooks which one comes upon occasion- 

 ally in large covers, either formed by the nature of the ground, and thus 

 hollows filled with water, from the situation of their levels, or enlarged 

 portions of brooks that steal along in sinuous ways amongst the depths of 

 the wood. If these be extensive, that is, covering an acre or two in ex- 

 tent, as is sometimes the case, When we suddenly come upon them it is 

 not uncommon to hear a splash, and see the rings in the water's surface, 

 arising from the sudden displacement of a portion of the fluid by the 

 plunging in of some object — it may be a rat, you think — perhaps it is, 

 but if you sit yourself down amongst the bushes, and keep quiet for a 

 short time, you will perceive a dark object stealing gently out of the 

 thick rushes or flags, and a small black head, for you seldom see much 

 more, is soon disclosed, and almost simultaneously some two or three more 

 appear in different parts of the pond, generally near the edge, or out of 

 the thickest of the weeds; if you still remain quiet, a little more of the 

 objects is seen, for they are sufficiently cautious, and the identity of the 

 Dabchick, or Little Grebe, (Podiceps minor,) is complete. 



These little creatures are as amphibious as the Otter, (Lutra vulgaris,) 

 and are covered with such a thick coat of oily plumage and down, that 

 they have only to shake themselves to be dry enough; not that I ever 

 saw them out of their native element except when shot, and then they 

 were as dry the next moment, except perhaps near the vent, as if they 

 had been hay-making. 



The male is sometimes of a very rich sienna brown, and always, I 

 should say, smaller than the female; and their feet are, as is well known, 

 of a peculiar construction, that is, palmated and admirably formed for 

 natation; although like those of the Divers, (Colymbi,) they fold up quite 

 flatly when drawn back to take the stroke. How they manage on land 

 I cannot speak so particularly, as all I have seen them execute in this 



VOL. VIII. h 



