I 12 



DABCHICK. 



DABCHICK. 



LITTLE GREBE. BLACK-CHIN GREBE. DIDAPPER. 

 SMALL DOUCKER. LOON. 



PLATE CCII. FIGURE I. 



Podiceps minor, 

 Podiceps Hebridicus, 

 Colymbus Hebridicus, 

 Colymbus minor, 

 Colymbus fluviatilis, 



STEPHENS. FLEMING. 



LATHAM. 



GMELIN. 



GMELIN. 



BRISSON. 



rFIHE 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 be- 

 comes very brittle. 



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

 in shape, tapering towards each end, and dull white 

 in colour. The bird is in the habit of covering them 

 over with weeds when leaving the nest for a time, at 

 least, as soon as they are all laid, and it would further 

 appear that the covering is not then removed, but 

 that she sits on both it and the eggs; they become 



