228 BIRD WATER TRESPASSERS. 



placed in this pond, so that every opportunity was 

 offered for studying their habits. 



After a while, they became used to the presence of 

 man, but for a considerable time they retained their 

 natural wariness. Whenever any one approached the 

 basin, the little birds would dive instantaneously, as if 

 they had some sheltered spot to which they could 

 retreat. Shelter, however, there was none, and the 

 water was so clear that they could be seen throughout 

 the whole of their proceedings. As there was no 

 aquatic vegetation in which they could hide, the Dab- 

 chicks always made for the shaded side of the basin, 

 and, under cover of the shade, used to rise very 

 gradually to the surface. They would only just allow 

 their heads to be seen above the water, and as they 

 kept themselves closely against the dark side of the 

 basin, they would escape the observation of any one 

 who was not specially looking for them. Indeed, so 

 well were they concealed, that I have often found some 

 difficulty in pointing out the birds, though, the basin 

 being but a small one, they were only a few yards 

 distant. 



Still, if any one should wish to watch the Dabchicks 

 in their wild state, he can generally do so by approach- 

 ing very quietly the pond which they frequent, and 

 sitting absolutely still. For a time he may not see a 

 single bird, but after a while the Dabchicks appear to 

 become accustomed to the motionless object which at 

 first alarmed them, and they generally make their 

 appearance and swim about as merrily as if a human 

 being were not within a mile of them. 



It is noticeable, by the way, that neither birds nor 



