BRITISH BIRDS. 173 



THE LITTLE GREBE. 



WINTER PLUMAGE. 

 DOBCHICK, SMALL DOl'CKER, DIPPER, OR DIDAPPER. 



(Podiccps J\n/ior, Lath. Grebe castagticiiXy Temm.j 



THIS is the least of the Grebe tribe, weighing 

 only between six and seven ounces, and measuring 

 to the rump ten inches, to the end of the toes 

 thirteen, and about sixteen from tip to tip of the 

 wings. The bill is scarcely an inch long, of a 

 dusky reddish colour: irides hazel; head thickly 

 clothed with downy soft feathers, which it can puff 

 up to a great size, or lay down flat at pleasure : 

 cheeks mostly bay, fading towards the chin and 

 throat into a yellowish white. Neck, breast, and 

 all the upper part of the plumage, brown or ches- 

 nut, tinged with red, lightest on the rump: belly 

 white, clouded with ash, mixed with red: thighs 

 and vent grey : greater quills dark brown ; the 

 lesser white on their inner webs; legs dirty olive 

 green. 



The Little Grebe is a true aquatic, for it seldom 

 quits the water, nor ventures beyond the sedgy 



