THE LITTLE GREBE 



321 



clouded with dirty yellow. Eye, silvery grey. Length of the wing, 4.75 in.; 

 of the tarsus, 1.4 in. Egg — White; length, 1.65 in. New Zealand only. 



The little grebe, or dabehiek, is fairly common in suitable 

 localities in both Islands ; but it is wary and is seldom seen. It 

 is necessary to lie in wait, silent and patient, and then it may 

 be seen swimming- gaily about, but never going far from the- 

 sheltering rushes. On the least alarm it dives and is seen no more. 



Little Grebe. 



( (■()!/. Erebus and I'error.) 



The nest is made among the rushes, floating on the surface of the 

 water. It is a rather large and somewhat clumsy structure, 

 formed of the roots and leaves of various aquatic plants. Mr. 

 Potts has found a nest built against the stem of Carex virgata, 

 beneath the drooping leaves of which it was perfectly concealed 

 from casual observation. Situated just within the swampy side 

 of a small lake, it was raised a few inches only above the water 

 level. 



