LITTLE GREBE or DABCHICK. 



PODICEPS MINOR {Briss.). 



Colymbus minor, Briss. Orn. vi. p. 56 (1760) ; Naum. ix. 

 ' p. 785. 



Sylbeocyclus europseus, Macg. v. p. 276. 

 Podiceps minor, Hewitson, ii. p. 446. 



Podiceps fluviatilis, Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 137 ; Dresser, viii. 

 p. 659. 



Le Castagneux, French ; Kleiner Taucher, German ; Zam- 

 bullidor chico, Somormujo, Spanish. 



This quaint-looking little bird is resident and more 

 or less common in suitable localities throughout Great 

 Britain and Ireland, and breeds on quiet waters amongst 

 reeds and flags, occasionally without any attempt at 

 concealment of its nest, which is a simple platform of 

 various water-plants. The first eggs are generally laid 

 early in April ; four is about the average number of a 

 sitting, although more are occasionally to be met with : 

 when first laid they are of a greenish white, but from 

 the habit of the bird of covering them with wet and 

 dead weed whenever she leaves the nest, they often pass 

 through a stage of buff to a dirty brown, and, under 

 the hot sun of Southern Europe, not uncommonly to a 

 deep chocolate colour. Of late years, as I am informed, 



