102 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



Fieldfare. This bird does not breed in England, but is a common winter 

 visitor, usually seen about grass-lands in flocks, arriving about October and 

 leaving in April. It is not so large as the Mistle Thrush, but larger than the 

 Song Thrush, and is recognized by its chestnut and grey back, contrasting 

 with its black tail. The head is grey, throat and breast yellowish white. 



The only notes heard during the bird's sojourn with us are a chattering 

 cry overhead when the flock is moving, and a sharp alarm note, "Tsak," 

 uttered often from a tree. 



Grebe, Little DABCHICK the smallest of the British grebes. The Grebe 

 family are noted for two well-marked characteristics : first, the almost total 

 absence of a tail; and second, the curious lobed toes. The Dabchick is a 

 very familiar sight on any pool, lake, or stream, where it looks like a large 

 stumpy blackbird, smoky-black, except for the sides of neck and breast, 

 which (with the lower flanks and a patch on each side of the rump) are a deep 

 chestnut colour. There is some whitish colouring on the under parts. The 

 legs are a dull green. 



In the winter, however, the chin and throat are white, and the chestnut 

 on the neck fades to a yellowish brown. At this time of the year it is often 

 seen near the coast. It is a most expert diver ; in fact, the young can dive 

 as soon as they are hatched. 



The nest is a mass of decaying rushes and water plants, usually placed 

 among reeds, sometimes built in the open in shallow water, and the eggs 

 are usually covered over by the bird on leaving the nest. These are originally 

 a bluish white, but they rapidly become stained in browns or reds through 

 being covered with the wet vegetation. The note is a mere shrill chatter. 

 The bird is said never to be seen on land, but this is an exaggeration, though, 

 owing to the legs being placed very far back, walking is a difficult process. 

 It does, of course, walk on land, and when surprised shows remarkable speed 

 in getting to the water. 



Greenshank. Is a much rarer bird than the Redshank (which see), breeding 

 only in Scotland, though sometimes seen as a bird of passage on our coasts. 

 It is a larger bird (14 inches), and has olive-green legs, a beak slightly 

 upturned, and dark-grey upper parts. Its call is like the Redshank's, but 

 sharper "Tijii-tijii." Its nesting habits are much the same, but it is not 

 so sociable. See also SANDPIPERS. 



Guillemot, Black. This bird does not breed in England, but in Scotland, Ire- 

 land, and the Isle of Man, where it is practically stationary all the year round. 

 It is, as its name implies, chiefly black in colour, but is at once recognized by 

 its scarlet legs and a large white patch on the wings. It feeds on crustaceans 

 and small fish. It does not breed in large colonies, though it is not a " soli- 

 tary " bird, one or more pairs being found together. The eggs, two in number, 

 are laid 'oh the rock in a cliff-crevice or under boulders, and are whitish in 

 colour, ;With: $ark-browti and grey markings ; to be found in May or June. 



The call is a clear " Ist-ist-ist," and there is a low, plaintive whine or whistle. 



