FOR CAGES AND AVIARIES. 89 



THE GREAT TIT. See under Tits. 



THE GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL. See 



under Gulls. 



THE GREATER REDPOLL. See Linnet (Common). 



THE GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 



See under Woodpeckers. 



THE GREATER WHITETHROAT. See under 

 Whitethroats. 



THE GREBES. 



The Dabchick, or Little Grebe. 



This is a pretty little creature of rather wide distribution, 

 although not numerous anywhere. Very often it lives in a 

 state of semi-domestication on ornamental waters, and 

 comes to be fed along with the Ducks and other feathered 

 inhabitants of the locality. 



It nests near the water, making a considerable erection 

 for its eggs which are 5 or 6 in number, of a dirty white 

 colour; the mother covers them with weeds when she gets 

 off to feed and they soon get very dirty. The young take 

 to the water directly they are freed from the shell. The 

 length of the Dabchick is 9 or 10 inches; as it is stoutly 

 built its weight is more than might be expected, reaching 

 to 6 or 7 or more ounces. The plumage varies accord- 

 ing to the season, brown in winter, of a darker shade 

 above than below, and lighter in summer, when the face 



