LITTLE GREBE AND GREENFINCH 



49 



some time. The eggs are often covered over when the parent 

 bird leaves the nest in the same way as those of its smaller 

 relative. 

 Plumage. — Dark-brown and chestnut crown, crest, and ruff; white 

 cheeks; dark-brown upper parts; white secondaries; silky- 

 white underneath. Length. — Twenty-two inches. 



GREBE, LITTLE (Tachybaptes fluviatilis) 



Local Names. — Arsfoot, Black-Chinned Grebe, Dabber, Dabchick, 



Didapper, Dive Dapper, Dob-Chicken, Ducker, Small Doucker, 



Tom Pudding. 

 Haunt. — Fresh-water lakes, ponds, and streams. 

 Nesting Period. — March to August. 

 Site of Nest. — Near, and often on, the water, Sometimes the nest 



is exposed, at others hidden among 



aquatic vegetation. 

 Materials Used. — Grasses and reeds. A 



flat structure. 

 Eggs. — Four to Six. White when laid, 



but soon become stained. Size, 



1.45 by 1.0 inch. 

 Food. — Same as Great Crested Grebe. 

 Voice. — A rusty call-note, and a curious 



so-called song, like the creaking of 



a gate that wanted oiling! 

 Chief Features. — The antics of the birds 



in the water are most interesting. 



They dive as quick as thought, and 



disappear as if by magic, popping 



up here, there, and everywhere in 



a most curious and delightful way. 



They paddle under water swiftly and adroitly. Far better 



known as the Dabchick or Dobchick. 

 Plumage. — Dark-brown head, neck, and upper r parts; a sprinkling 



of white on the secondaries; black chin; reddish-chestnut 



cheeks, throat, and sides of neck; greyish- white underneath; 



dusky-brown flanks; horn-coloured bill; dull-green legs and 



feet curiously shaped. Length. — Nine and a half inches. 



Fig. 13. Head and Foot of 

 Little Grebe. 



GREENFINCH {Ligurinus chloris) 



Local Names. — Green Bird, Green Chub, Green Grosbeak, Green 



Linnet, Greenulf, Joey. 

 Haunt. — Woods, hedgerows, fields, and gardens. 

 Nesting Period. — April onwards. 



