WATER BIRDS. 227 



waters. At one time I thought it to be only resident 

 with us in the summer, but I have found it plentiful in 

 winter also, though apparently varying in numbers in 

 different years. It constantly breeds with us in suitable 

 spots, the nest being formed of a large quantity of flags 

 and other water-plants, and those I have found have 

 always been placed on the ground, close to the water, 

 and not floating on that element. There is no difference 

 between it and that of the coot both are mere heaps of 

 material, with a shallow cavity in the centre, and are 

 very far removed from being hot-beds, as some have sup- 

 posed they are. The eggs are oval, tapering to both 

 ends, but to one rather more acutely than the other, and 

 when fresh-laid are beautifully white ; it is rarely, how- 

 ever, that they are found so, for whether with the wet 

 feet of the bird, or the damp condition of the nest, they 

 soon become sullied, until those first laid acquire an 

 almost uniform brown hue, each successive egg being a 

 shade lighter than the other. 



No bird that I know has for its size greater power in 

 the water than the dabchick ; indeed, as a diver few 

 surpass it. Heels over head it goes with the least pos- 

 sible splash, and if you could look into the water in which 

 it has just dived you would perceive it gliding about 

 with as easy a motion as a fish, using its wings to assist 

 its progress, and seeming without any effort to keep 

 below the surface. It is astonishing too how long it 

 will remain beneath, and how rapidly it again disappears 

 after it has come up to take breath. I once had an op- 

 portunity of witnessing these subaqueous gambols in a 

 deep sluggish stream at the bottom of my garden, where 

 I could look down into the water ; but it is rarely that 

 such an opportunity is afforded. So quickly do they 



Q 2 



