LITTLE GREBE. 421 



the reedy parts of most rivers during summer, but in 

 winter it is more frequent on small streams. In some 

 of these situations, depending on the season, it may be 

 frequently observed busily engaged on the surface in search 

 of food, or diving to shelter itself for security if disturbed 

 by too close an approach. Though occasionally seen to 

 use its wings when flapping along the top of the water, 

 its powers of flight appear to be limited, and in walking 

 its progression is still more embarrassed ; it is, therefore, 

 very seldom found on land, except close to the edge of 

 the water, into which it returns on the slightest alarm, 

 perfectly conscious that water alone affords it the required 

 protection. 



Its food consists of small fishes, aquatic insects, with 

 some vegetable substances ; and a few of its own soft 

 feathers from the under part of the body are usually found 

 in its stomach. Mr. Selby remarks, " During winter, 

 when the ponds and brooks become frozen, Dabchicks 

 betake themselves to the mouths of rivers and small retired 

 bays, where they feed upon shrimps, fry of fish, and marine 

 insects. At this season I have several times caught them 

 in Budle Bay, on the coast of Northumberland, when they 

 happen to be left in small pools after the recess of the tide. 

 Having first dived, they afterwards invariably endeavoured 

 to conceal themselves among the fronds of the algae, 

 rarely attempting to escape by flight." Nares, in his 

 Glossary, says that the term Didapper, applied to the 

 Dabchick in some counties, means a little diver. 



Like the other species of this genus, the Little Grebe 

 breeds among the reeds and coarse herbage of the waters 

 it inhabits, and, considering the small size of the birds, 

 forms a large flat nest of aquatic plants, in which from 

 four to six eggs are usually deposited. These are one 



