362 RED-NECKED GREBE. 



are laid, though occasionally six are found. The shells 

 are rather rough and their colour is white, but in a 

 short time they naturally become very stained, seem- 

 ingly from their damp and rotten surroundings. 

 Atkinson says he is quite convinced that in some 

 cases at least this discoloration is intentional on the 

 part of the parent bird, though in others it may be 

 due to the action of the juices of fresh or decaying 

 vegetable substances. The eggs can easily be recog- 

 nised from their shape, both ends being equally 

 pointed. 



When the young are hatched the parent will often 

 swim with them concealed under her wings^ should 

 danger threaten, and will even dive with them hidden 

 from view in this way. 



The Dabchick is the smallest of the family of 

 Grebes. It may be described generally as dark brown 

 on the upper parts, with the cheeks and front part of 

 the neck bright chestnut ; there is a little white on 

 the wings ; the under parts are a greyish brown, being 

 darkest on the breast. 



Other rarer birds of the Faniily Podicipedidce : — 



RED-NECKED GREBE. 



PODICEPS RUBRICOLLIS. 



Genus Podiceps. 



A winter visitor of regular occurrence, particularly 

 on the east coast of England and Scotland. It never 

 breeds here. 



