126 DABCHTCE. 



when on the water at other times. It has been likened to 

 the sound made by drawing a stick across a rail. 



The nest of the Dabchick, which is placed at a little 

 distance, often as much as twenty or thirty yards, 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 becomes very 

 brittle. It is seldom raised more than an inch or two above 

 the water, so that, .except in hot seasons, it generally is 

 quite soaked with water. 



The hen bird may be seen pecking about her while on the 

 nest. It is related that until the latter is finished she is in 

 the habit of sitting at night on a similar but smaller tuft 

 which she has raised by its side. 



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 a good deal stained in consequence. The period 

 of breeding is about the middle of May. 



The young take to the water immediately on being hatched. 



Male; weight, between six and seven ounces; length, from 

 nine inches and a half to ten inches; bill, black, the tip 

 paler, a light horn-colour; the upper mandible is straight, 

 the under one angular; in winter the lower mandible is paler 

 than the upper; the basal part of both is yellowish or 

 yellowish white; iris, deep reddish brown. Head on the 

 crown, neck on the back, and nape, dark brownish black, 

 glossed with green; the head on the sides is chesnut red: 

 in winter all these are brown. The feathers about the head 

 are soft and flexible, and capable of being puffed out or 

 laid flat at the pleasure of the bird. Chin, dull black, also 

 with a tinge of green. Throat and breast, dull but glossy 

 silvery greyish white, with a tint of black; on the sides 

 dusky brown. Back, rusty blackish brown, with a tinge of 

 dull greenish, shading towards the sides of the breast into 

 a paler tint, which is continued down to the flanks. In 

 winter the back is brown the lower part is paler than the 

 upper. 



