20 
COLYMBID.E. 
^^A TA TORES. 
COLYMBTDJF.. 
PLATE CCLXXVI. 
LITTLE GREBE. 
PODICEPS MINOPw 
The Little Grebe is an undoubted British species, known 
to every one, and the smallest of its family. The provincial 
name of this species is Dabchick, by which name it is gene¬ 
rally known. In consequence of the more suitable nature 
and of the lesser rapidity of the streams, this bird is more 
abundant in the southern than in the northern counties, 
but still it is very generally distributed over the country. 
It frequents most rivers, lakes, and ponds where there 
are rushes for its concealment and muddy bottoms or 
shallows. 
In most parts of Europe this Grebe is found, but strange 
to say, is not common in Holland or France. In India 
the Little Grebe is met with, but not in North America ; 
and according to M. Temminck it is not identical with 
the species nearly resembling it in Africa. 
The locality frequented by this bird supplies it abundantly 
with food, which consists of aquatic insects, small fry, and 
herbage; like the foregoing species, some feathers are gene¬ 
rally found in the stomach of this now before us. 
