844 



BRITISH BIRDS 



Little Grebe, or Dabchick, 

 Tachybaptes fluviatilis. 



Fio. 117. LITTLE GREBE. natural size. 



Head, neck, and upper parts dark brown ; a little white on the 

 secondaries; chin black; cheeks, throat, and sides of the neck 

 reddish chestnut; under parts greyish white ; flanks dusky brown ; 

 bill horn-colour; legs and feet dull green. Length, nine inches 

 and a half. 



The little grebe, or dabchick, is less than the teal in size, and 

 differs from the great crested grebe in about the same degree as the 

 partridge does from the" pheasant. It is the one common and well- 

 known species of grebe in this country, being resident in suitable 

 localities in all parts of the United Kingdom. In summer it is 

 generally diffused, and is to be met with even on small pools and 

 streams ; in winter it shifts its ground, resorting to the rivers and 

 larger bodies of water, and in very severe weather to the sea-coast. 



It begins to breed at the end of April or early in May, and 

 forms a floating nest of aquatic weeds and grasses close to the bank 

 or .among the reeds, but in most cases little care is taken to conceal 

 the nest. The eggs are three or four to six in number, and are 

 white, and rough in texture. Before quitting the nest the incubat- 

 ing bird invariably covers the eggs with wet leaves and grass, 



