WATER BIRDS. oF 
waters. At one time I thought it to be only resident 
- with us in the summer, but I have found it plentiful in 
winter also, though apparently varying in numbers in 
different years. It constantly breeds with us in suitable 
spots, the nest being formed of a large quantity of flags 
and other water-plants, and those I have found have 
always been placed on the ground, close to the water, 
and not floating on that element. There is no difference 
between it and that of the coot—both are mere heaps of 
material, with a shallow cavity in the centre, and are 
very far removed from being hot-beds, as some have sup- 
posed they are. The eggs are oval, tapering to both 
ends, but to one rather more acutely than the other, and 
when fresh-laid are beautifully white ; it is rarely, how- 
ever, that they are found so, for whether with the wet 
feet of the bird, or the damp condition of the nest, they 
soon become sullied, until those first laid acquire an 
almost uuiform brown hue, each successive egg being a 
shade lighter than the other. 
No bird that I know has for its size greater power in 
the water than the dabchick ; indeed, as a diver few 
surpass it. Heels over head it goes with the least pos- 
sible splash, and if you could look into the water in which 
it has just dived you would perceive it gliding about 
with as easy a motion as a fish, using its wings to assist 
its progress, and seeming without any effort to keep 
below the surface. It is astonishing too how long it 
will reraain beneath, and how rapidly it again disappears 
after it has come up to take breath. I once had an op- 
portunity of witnessing these subaqueous gambols in a 
deep sluggish stream at the bottom of my garden, where 
I could look down into the water; but it is rarely that 
such an opportunity is afforded. So quickly do they 
Q 2 
