354 



THE LITTLE GREBE, OR DABCHICK. 



Their food consists of fish, fry, coleoptera, marine worms, and often, 

 in part, of vegetables. In Canada, from their remarkable agility in 

 Jiving, they are known by the name of Water Witches, and are 

 here called Diapers, as they plunge beneath the water on the least 

 ippearance of danger, depending very little on their wings for safety ; 

 iiid when most disturbed seldom fly farther than from one side of 

 :he pool to the other. The young are said to be common in the 

 winter season, in small flocks, on the lake of Geneva, in Switzerland, 

 ind are killed for the sake of their beautiful skins ; the under side 

 oeing dressed, with the feathers on, are made into muffs and tippets. 



THE LITTLE GREBE, OK DABCHICK. 



The Dabchick, the smallest of the species, in length only about ten 

 inches, is again a race of birds common to the colder parts of both 

 Continents, having been seen round Hudson's Bay, though hitherto 

 unknown even as a visitor within the limits of the United States. 

 This is the least and most plentiful species, being common in Europe 

 and the north of Asia in most lakes, slow running rivers, streams, and 

 ponds, which are well supplied with the shelter of reeds. It seldom 

 takes to wing, but dives on the least alarm, and will remain under 

 water amongst the floating weeds and sheltering herbage, with its bil] 

 alone elevated above ior respiration. Its nest, like that of other Grebes. 

 is formed of a large quantity of coarse aquatic plants, piled together to 

 the thickness of a 

 foot, and is gen- 

 erally fastened to 

 the reeds or flags, 

 in order to pre- 

 vent its removal 

 by tlie current. 

 The eggs, five or 

 six in number, are 

 of a dirty white, 

 and somewhat less 

 than those of a 

 Pigeon. These are 

 generally covered 

 with weeds for 

 soncealment in the 

 absence of the 

 birds ; yet with 

 every precaution 

 they are frequently destroyed by the Water Eat. 



In large rivers these 'little divers are often devoured by Pike 

 and Trout, while they are themselves engaged in the pursuit of small 

 fish. In the spring the males are very active in pursuit of their 

 intended mates, and at such times frequently fly along the surface of 

 the water to a small distance, uttering often a shrill chattering noise. 



LITTLE GREBL 



