105 



Before leaving these ISTotes on the Blue Duck, there is one peculiar habit 

 that might be noticed, it is the manner in which it can turn in the water ; 

 however rapid the stream, it can turn instantly, as though worked on a pivot ; 

 doubtless the produced tail gives this facility. When it is quietly fossicking 

 amongst the soft banks of the mountain stream, it may be seen indulging this 

 habit, without apparently losing an inch of space. 



No. 99. — PoDiCEPS RUFiPECTus, Gray. 



Little Grebe, Red-breasted Grebe, Dab-chick. 

 (See also Vol. ii., p. 73.) 



Few, if any, of our aquatic birds display more restless activity than the 

 Red-breasted Grebe ; this quality is exhibited in a variety of ways ; look at 

 the enquiring jerky manner in which the head and neck are cai-ried, slightly 

 in advance, yet continually moving from side to side ; a habit that may result 

 from the mode in which its food is obtained. When diving and seai'ching for 

 its prey, the head is doubtless moved from side to side, in order to scan as 

 much of its watery track as possible before returning to the surface ; by this 

 restless air the bird seems perpetually on the watch for a surprise, yet it 

 displays a frequent boldness in gratifying its curiosity that is seldom, if evei", 

 shown by many water birds. Then, in watching its progress when swimming, 

 its action appears fitful rather than regular ; should any unusual object excite 

 its curiosity or suspicion, it advances towards it with a regular zigzag approach. 

 Its diving power is admirable ; how easily and gracefully it is effected — the 

 head by a rapid motion is lowered, and in smooth water a few air bubbles 

 rising to the surface alone denote the spot from whence it disappeared. The 

 length of time it can remain submei'ged is astonishing, and this, too, we have 

 observed in a swift eddying stream at the confluence of two large creeks. We 

 have ever thought it a pretty sight to watch a family of Grebes on some lonely 

 tarn or pool, fringed by a narrow but dense belt of Discaria or Olearia, that 

 affoi'ded an efiicient screen for observation. 



We never saw more than two young ones in a brood ; very often the 

 labour of the parents is most equally shared, by each appearing to take chai'ge 

 of a young bird, which float about quietly, often with the neck bent back, the 

 head resting between the shoulders, now and then uttering a soft trilling note 

 not unlike, but less marked, than the call of the parent birds. 



The old Grebes dive incessantly, remaining but a very short time under 

 water ; when their efibrt has been successful, a soft call summons the young 

 bird, and the aquatic morsel, whether fish or insect, is always dipped in the 

 water before it is offered to the young one. In the brief intervals between 

 the dives, the wings are carried high, somewhat swan fashion, as if the more 

 readily to catch the drying influence of the air. For some weeks the young 

 preserve a greyish tone of plumage over the upper surface, the head retains 

 some light greyish doAvn, whilst the bi'east is pale rufous. 



p 



