LITTLE GREBE. 25 I 



in the window of one of the leading restaurants in Paris, and did not 

 seem in the least to mind the admiration of the visitors, though the 

 pond and fountain in which they sported was of glass, and the 

 few ornamental plants did not hide them. 



The food of the Dabchick consists of small fishes, and 

 aquatic insects, with some vegetable substances ; it will dive in 

 the most rapid manner, and bring up minnows with surprising 

 quickness to feed its young. 



The Little Grebe builds a floating nest, hidden among the 

 weeds and rushes, and keeps a most careful watch over it. The 

 young when hatched, take quickly to the water, and dive naturally 

 with the parent birds. They have the power of sinking their 

 bodies beneath the water, only leaving their heads and tails 

 exposed, so as to be nearly invisible ; at any alarm, they instantly 

 dive, and can swim for a considerable distance under water, giving 

 their heads an amusing little shake when they regain the surface. 



Their numbers seem to vary in different seasons, which is 

 partly due to migration. They seldom fly, but they must be able 

 to do so, for they are found on detached and isolated ponds, and 

 in hard winters they have to leave their favourite ponds for 

 the rapid rivers, and their mode of progression on land is proverbially 

 difficult. Thus Pope uses it in illustration — 



As when the Dabchick waddles through the copse 

 On feet and wings, and flies, and wades, and hops. 



— Diinciad. 



Family— ALCID^. 



[Genus — Alca.] 



[Alca torda — Razor-bill.] 



Breeds in suitable localities throughout the British Islands. 



[Alca impennis — Great Auk.] 



Formerly occurred in British waters, but believed now to be extinct. 



The last recorded example in 1844. 



