320 THE LITTLE GEEBE OK DABCHICK. 



The Little Grebe is seldom seen on the wing, and its 

 awkward gait on land is thus alluded to by Pope : 



As when a dab-chick waddles through the copse 

 On feet and wings, and flies, and wades, and hops. 



The nest, which is rather large and flat, is composed of 

 aquatic plants, and is generally placed amongst reeds, rushes, 

 or other coarse herbage with little attempt at concealment ; 

 the eggs, which are from four to six in number, are white 

 when first laid. They soon, however, become stained, and 

 of a dirty yellow colour, for the bird generally covers the 

 eggs with decaying water weeds on leaving the nest. 



The food of this species, which it mostly obtains under 

 the surface of the water, consists of small fishes and aquatic 

 insects of various kinds. Quantities of feathers are fre- 

 quently found in its stomach. 



