87 



DABCHICK. 



LITTLE GREBE. BLACK-CHIN GREBE. DIDAPPER. 



SMALL DOUCKER. LOON. 



PLATE ecu. FIG. I. 



Podiceps minor, .... Stephens. Fleming. 



Podiceps Hehridicus, . . . Latham. 



Colymhus Sebridicus, . . . Gmelin. 



Colymbiis minor, .... Gmelin. 



Colymhus fluviatilis, . . . BiiissoN. 



The nest of the Dabchick, which is placed at a 

 little distance from the water, on or among any plants 

 that grow near the sides of rivers, lakes, and ponds, 

 is composed of short pieces of roots, reeds, rushes, and 

 flags, and a considerable quantity of these is occasionally 

 put together, sometimes to the height of a foot or 

 more; when dry the whole naturally becomes very 

 brittle. 



The eggs are four, five, or six in number, oval in 

 shape, tapering towards each end, and dull w^iite in 

 colour. The bird is in the habit of covering them 

 over with weeds when leaving the nest for a time. 

 The period of breeding is about the middle of May. 



The young take to the water immediately on being 

 hatched. 



