NESTING OF THE INDIAN DABGHIGK. 303 



A few days later I saw the young bird, which was now full- 

 winged, trying to fly. 



January 1th, 1901. — I saw two old birds on the tank (the 

 absentee having evidently returned) on good terms, meeting and 

 chattering ; no sexual display, however, though both are in full 

 plumage, equally showing rufous on neck. [I have since watched 

 them through another winter (1901-1902), and seen them retain 

 full plumage all the time.] Young bird apart, flying once or 

 twice, as well as an adult. 



March 2nd. — Both old birds still present, in summer plumage, 

 and carrying nesting material. When courting, the bigger bird 

 chatters most, and expands the flank-feathers slightly. A new 

 bird, in almost complete winter* or immature plumage, which I 

 put on, was chased by one old bird at least, as their young one 

 has always been of late when they are near it. I saw this not 

 long since, when threatened, stoop supplicating, as when about 

 to be fed. 



After this I took no systematic notes, but one or two occur- 

 rences which I have not dated seem to me to deserve notice. On 

 one occasion I saw one of the young — then very small, and being 

 carried by one parent while the other hunted for them — trying to 

 swallow a large bright red dragonfly, which was obviously too 

 big for it. The parent carrying it, on this, turned round and 

 took the insect away. 



On another occasion the carrying parent, on my approach, 

 swam away from the nest with the young on its back, and the 

 other hastened to it, and there was much chattering. Then the 

 unburdened parent swam to the nest, made a peck at it — I being 

 there all the time on the platform overlooking it — and then went 

 back to its partner, when there was more chattering. The whole 

 performance looked as if this bird had inquired as to the cause of 



* It is obvious, from what has been said above, that the so-called winter 

 plumage is merely that of immaturity in this species. I have never seen the 

 pair of birds whose actions I have here noted in any but full adult summer 

 plumage at any time. It is possible, of course, that this pair are abnormal, 

 or very old individuals, but there is no proof of this, and they are free birds 

 leading a perfectly normal life iu every way. (See B. M. Cat. vol, xxvi, 

 p. 517, on Podicipes tricolor.) 



