THE GREBE. 



103 



They destroy large quantities of fish and their ova, 

 as well as shrimps, prawns, and young crabs. 



The Little Grebe (P. minor], known also as the 

 dab-chick, is abundant on fresh-water lakes and 

 still-flowing rivers throughout the country. It is one 

 of the most interesting of our little aquatic birds, and 

 is an ornament to a piece of water. It forms a CUP- 



LITTLE GREBE. 



shaped nest of aquatic plants. The eggs are not 

 larger than those of a pigeon, and are stained 

 similarly to those of the crested grebe. Grebes 

 cover their eggs in order to conceal them. The 

 crested grebe has the bill longer than the head. 

 The beak is reddish, with the tip white, and, 

 contrary to the usual habit with birds, the beak be- 



