CHAPTER X. 



LATER IN APRIL. 

 THE DABCHICK. 



ON the 15th of April, I go to Lake Ontario at the mouth 

 of Johnson's Creek to spend a few days in observing and 

 collecting. As I stealthily approach the creek near its outlet, 

 I see a Dabchick {Podilymbus podiceps) swimming among the 

 rushes. Occasionally he emits a clear whistle not unlike 

 the peep of the Hylas. How spry he is, darting hither and 

 thither, diving to reappear many rods away, and shaking his 

 head violently as he emerges. I cannot tell one moment 

 where to look for him the next. No wonder he has received 

 the common name — Water- witch. Now he starts up and 

 flies a few rods, patting the surface of the water with his 

 lobate feet, as if he were half flying and half running. His 

 head turns so quickly in every direction that I cannot decide 

 whether he sees me or not, only as I imply it from his sink- 

 ing so deeply as he swims whenever he rises after diving, 

 and finally from his disappearing among the sedges. This 

 is no doubt a breeding place of this species, as are also the 

 marshes about Grand Island, in Niagara River. In August 

 or September, when the family is well grown, it is interest- 

 ing to watch them at their sports in their quiet haunts. 

 They seem most active between dajdight and sunrise. Then, 

 if one is well hid away by the still water, their active swim- 

 ming and graceful diving can be seen to good advantage. 



