0'J4 



THE LITTLE GREBE, OR DABCHICK. 



Their food consists of fish, fry, coleoptera, marine worms, and often, 

 part, of vegetables. In Canada, from their remarkable agilitj^ in 



m 



jiving, they are known by the name of Water Witches, and are 

 here called Dinpers, as they plunge beneath the water on the least 

 jppearanco of aanger, depending very little on their wings fur safety ; 

 ind when most disturbed seldom fly farther than from one side of 

 :he pool to the other. The young are said to be common in the 

 A'inter season, in small flocks, on the lake of Geneva, in Switzerland, 

 itid are killed for the sake of their beautiful skins ; the under side 

 oeing dressed, with the feathers on, are made into mufls and tippets. 



THE LITTLE GREBE, OR DABCHICK. 



The Dabchick, the smallest of the species, in length only about ten 

 tnches, is again a race of birds common to the colder parts of both 

 jontinents, having been seen round Hudson's Bay, though hitherto 

 unknown even as a visitor 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 wing, but dives on the least alarm, and will remain under 

 water amongst the floating weeds and sheltering herbage, with its bilJ 

 alone elevated above tor respiration. Its nest, like that of other Grebes, 

 is form.ed of a large quantity of coarse aquatic plants, piled together to 

 the thickness of a 

 foot, and is gen« 

 eraily fastened to 

 the reeds or flags, 

 in order 

 vent its 

 by the 

 The eggs. 



to pre- 



removal 



current. 



five 



^5>^ 



or 

 six in number, are 

 of a dirty white, 

 and somewhat less 

 than those of a 

 Pigeon. These are 

 generally covered 

 with weeds for 

 3<mcealment in the 

 absence of tlie 

 birds ; yet with 

 every precaution 

 they are frequently destroyed by the Water Eat. 



in large rivers these "little divers are often devourecl by Pike 

 and Trout, while they are themselves engaged in the pursuit of small 

 fish. In the spring the males are very active in pursuit of their 

 intended mates, and at such times frequently fly along the surface of 

 the water to a small distance, uttering often a shrill chattering noise. 



UTILE OBEBL 



