LITTLE GREBE, or DABCHICK. 



(Podiceps minor, Lath. sp. 9. Temm. Man. d'Orn. ii. p. 727, P. 



hebridicus, Lath. sp. 11. Colymbus viinor, Gmel. ii. p. 594. Le 



Grebe de riviere, ou Castagneux, Buff. Ois. viii. p. 244. t. 20. PI. 



Enlum. 905. [young of the year.] Grebe Montagnard, Sonnini, 



Nouv. Ed. de Buff. Ois. xxiii. p. 336.) 

 Sp. Charact. — Bill very short, strong and compressed; the adult 



without crest or ruff; the tarsus very rough behind : secondaries 



white at the base and on their inner webs. 



The Dabchick, the smallest of the species, in length 

 only about 10 inches, is again a race of birds common to 

 the colder parts of both continents, having been seen around 

 Hudson's Bay, though hitherto unknown even as a visiter 

 within the limits of the United States. This is the least 

 and most plentiful species, being common in Europe and 

 the north of Asia in most lakes, slow running rivers, 

 streams and ponds, which are well supplied with the shelter 

 of reeds. It seldom takes to winor, but dives on the least 



