By Marsh and Mere 



life of the neighbourhood, for it is an exceedingly 

 difficult bird to observe, and might bring up its 

 young ones on a pond without its presence being 

 even suspected. As you approach its haunt 

 the Dabchick disappears under the surface of the 

 water, without so much as a ripple, and swims 

 to the shelter of some water plants, where 

 its detection is almost impossible, for there is 

 nothing to catch the eye in its sombre plumage. 

 It is dark brown above with a greenish sheen ; 

 the cheeks, throat and sides of the neck are reddish 

 brown and the underparts are white. The nest, 

 like that of its relation, is merely a mass of weed, 

 in some cases floating, but where possible reaching 

 down to the bottom. From four to six eggs are laid, 

 rough shelled and white at first, but soon change 

 to a dirty yellow from contact with the decaying 

 weed. Each time the bird leaves the nest, unless 

 suddenly startled from it, the eggs are carefully 

 covered up and the chances of their being dis- 

 covered materially reduced. 



On a " Broad" not far from the one tenanted 

 by the Grebes, a large colony of Black-headed 

 Gulls were nesting, and such a clamour they 

 made over the business that it was impossible not 

 to be aware of their presence. As our boat 

 approached their cries were redoubled, and the 

 birds, leaving their nests, flew to meet us, but did 

 not, I fear, give us a very cordial welcome, and, 

 after vain expostulations, the majority alighted on 

 F Si 



