728 F. Finn — Notes on various species of Grebes. [No. 4, 



Podiceps albipennis (Sharpe). The Indian Dabchick. 



I have had many examples of this species of various ages, and 

 have consequently had ample opportunities of observing it. It fre- 

 quently remains standing up for some time, and walks and runs about 

 quite actively, and can even jump a little, helping itself frequently when 

 running with its wings. Some specimens are less ready and able to 

 walk than others and more inclined to shove themselves along when 

 squatting, but I attribute this to fatigue or to flurry caused by fright. 

 Any bird which is a clumsy walker normally will naturally blunder 

 in its gait when hurried. 



In the early part of December 1895, I got from the Bazaar a 

 young specimen of this bird which I kept for some time in a cage, 

 letting it oat to swim and feed in any convenient receptacle for water, 

 from an earthern pot to a large masonry tank. It soon became remark- 

 ably tame, and before I had had it a week was inclined to follow me 

 about, and seemed restless when confined and unable to get to me. I 

 have let it out in my room and have had it come and squat down by 

 my feet. In fact, when the photograph* exhibited (which I owe 

 to the kindness of Mr. T. H. Holland of the Geological Survey) was 

 taken, I could not get the bird to stand still unless my hand was near. 

 At the same time it exhibited much fear of natives, diving in fright 

 when they approached, when it would let me lift it out of the water in 

 my hand. In addition to intelligence, it showed much courage, on two 

 occasions attacking a dog, and once a Scissor-billed Tern, which easily 

 beat it off : the dog of course had not the chance of retaliating allowed 

 it. Its power of resisting injury was also remarkable ; on three 

 occasions (twice within a few minutes) it fell at least a yard on to a 

 stone or concrete floor, and was not hurt, though it did not attempt to 

 save itself with its wings. 



The quills on these were not quite grown when I got it, and the 

 head was likewise covered with variegated down. While I had it con- 

 fined I never saw it bring up " castings," nor has this been the case 

 with any of this species that I have kept ; nor did I see any feathers 

 swallowed by them, even in the case of a moulting bird. 



I ultimately turned this bird out on the tank of the Museum com- 

 pound, where after remaining tame for a day or two, it speedily became 

 wild. It was inclined to associate with a Coot, which did not appear 

 to be anxious for its society ; but towards the ducks I from time to 

 time put on it exhibited what looked very like animosity, attacking 



* This is not clear enough for reproduction, — most unfortunately, as it shows 

 the bird in its normal standing position ; i.e., on its toes like an ordinary bird ; 

 though I have seen it also in the plantigrade posture. 



