PYGOPODES. 



LITTLE GREBE. 137 



POJJlCIPEDID.E. 



PODICEPS FLUVIATILIS (Tuiistall*). 



THE LITTLE GREBE, or DABCHICK. 

 Podiceps minor. 



The Little Grebe, or Dabchick, as it is more generally 

 called, is the smallest, as well as the most common, of the 

 British Grebes. It remains here throughout the whole year, 

 inhabiting rush-grown lakes or fish-ponds, and the reedy 

 parts of most rivers during summer, but in winter it is more 

 frequent on small streams. In some of these situations, 

 depending on the season, it may be frequently observed 

 busily engaged on the surface in search of food, or diving to 

 shelter itself for security if disturbed by too close an ap- 



* Coli/mbus fliLviatilis, Tunstall, Orn. Brit. p. 3 (1771). The bill being 

 shorter than the head, this species has been placed in the genus TacJn/baptes : 

 an arrangement sanctioned by a majority of the Ccmraittee of the British Orni- 

 thologists' Union, but which the Editor deems it inexpedient to adopt in the 

 present work. 



VOL. IV. T 



