14 



Jwie orjth. This day about uoon I saw the 

 biggest chick washing itself like au old bird on the 

 side of the tank opposite the nest ; it dived when it 

 saw me, but only for a yard or two. It appeared to be 

 in the charge of one parent, while the other two were 

 with the other, also away from the nest, (Later on I 

 could confirm this). 



June 2gth. Saw the three young by themselves 

 at the opposite side of the tank from the nest, 

 apparently hunting. For the first time they hardly 

 noticed me. One parent soon turned up near, and I 

 saw it several times drive off the smallest chick, 

 which bothered it while it was pluming. None of the 

 birds feared a passing kite much, but all got ready to 

 dive. I found the other parent — I think the smaller 

 one— at the other end of the tank, apparently not 

 hunting. It approached me when I dabbled in the 

 water. 



Jujie soi/i. Saw the largest chick putting new 

 material on the nest, which was very sodden. It did 

 this of its own accord, before the parent did so. The 

 parents have regularly added to the nest daily, judg- 

 ing from the state thereof and the times I have seen 

 them add to it. The largest chick can now dive 

 several yards ; it is often alone. The smallest still 

 gets pecked. 



Jn/y ']th. All young ones for some da5'S have 

 been going about the tank, sometimes alone and some- 

 times with parents (not all with one). They have no 

 fear of me now. Their bills are still pink and they 

 show no feathers. To-day the Coot got a fish, which 

 one of the young Dabchicks wanted. But the Coot 

 did not give it up, although it did not resent the 

 little Dabchick's near approach. [This Coot had been 

 there with the Dabchicks a long time, but was not 

 like them a voluntary visitor.] 



JzUy i6th. Saw the most forward of the remain- 



