PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 413 



The nest is the usual heap of water-weeds, only rising an inch or two above the water 

 surface, and in some cases as many as thirty to forty pairs may be found breeding 

 together, the nests being sometimes not more than a yard apart. Probably both 

 sexes share in the work of building, but definite records seem to be wanting. The 

 eggs are normally 4 in number, sometimes only 3, and occasionally 5 or 6. In 

 appearance they resemble the other grebes' eggs, being bluish white when first 

 laid, which rapidly changes to ochreous or yellowish brown, the chalky surface 

 absorbing staining matter from the weeds. In size they are slightly larger than 

 those of the dabchick and smaller than those of the rednecked-grebe, but are not 

 distinguishable from those of the Slavonian, though slightly more elongated as a 

 rule. (PI. W.) Average size of 34 eggs, 1 '7x1 -18 in. [43-3x30 mm.]. Incuba- 

 tion is performed by both sexes in turn according to Naumann, and is stated by 

 the same writer to last for three weeks. The first eggs may be found in Germany 

 in the last days of April, but more commonly in early May. Although eggs may 

 be found throughout June, and according to Naumann even in July and August, 

 it is not proved that breeding takes place more than once in the season. In 

 Spain full clutches may be found at the end of April. [F. c. R. j.] 



5. Food. Aquatic insects and their larvae, tadpoles, small fish, and 

 weeds. The young are fed by both parents on small fish and larvae, [w. p. p.] 



DABCHICK or LITTLE-GREBE [Colymbm ruficollis Pallas ; 

 Podicipes fluvicUilis (Tunstall). Dowker ; di-dapper (Hants) ; footinarse 

 (Lancashire) ; dobchicken (Suffolk). French, castagneux ; German, kleiner 

 Lappentaucher ; Italian, tuffetto]. 



I. Description. The dabchick is by far the smallest of our native grebes, 

 and may further be distinguished by the absence of white on the secondaries, save 

 only the inner webs, where it is concealed. The sexes are alike, and there is a marked 

 seasonal change of coloration. (PI. 176.) Length 8J in. [215 mm.]. In its 

 nuptial dress the upper parts are of a sooty black with a greenish gloss. The fore- 

 neck is of a deep chesnut, and this coloration extends forward to embrace the 

 under surface of the head to the level of the auriculars, and forming a strong con- 

 trast with the black of the rest of the head and hind-neck. The breast and flanks 

 are blackish, with a silvery sheen on the breast. The beak is black, yellow at the 

 tip and gape ; the legs and toes are olive-green, and the iris is hazel. After the 

 autumn moult the upper parts appear dark brown, the cheeks and throat white, 

 VOL. IV. 3G 



