Dabchicks. 



DABCHICK (Podiceps minor, Latham.) 



Colymbus cristatus, Linn. Syst. 1. p. 323. 7. — Colymbus minor, Gmel. Syst. 2. p. 

 591. — Colymbus Fluviatilis, Briss. 2. p. 374. — Colymbus Hebridicus, Gmel. 2. 

 p. 594.— Podiceps minor, Ind. Orn. 2. p. 784. 9.— Rau, Syn. p. 125. A. 3.— 

 Will. p. 258. t. 61 —Podiceps Hebridicus, Lath. Index, 2. p. 785. t. 79.— Ya- 

 capitzehoac, Raii, Syn. p. 177. — Le Grebe de la rivier ou le Castagneux, Buff. 



8. p. 244. t. 20.— Little Grebe, Br. Zool. 2. No. 226.— Ib. fol. 134. t. F 



Will. (Angl.) p. 340. t. 61 Lath. Syn. 5. p. 289. 10.— Lewins Br. Birds, 5. 



t. 200 —Black-chin Grebe, Mont. Diet Didapper, Wale. Syn. 1. t. 205 



Don. Br. Birds, 3. t. 56 Penn. Br. Zool. 



Provincial — Dipper. Dobchick. Small Doucker. Loon. Arsefoot. 



The weight of this species is between six and seven ounces ; length 

 ten inches. Bill scarce an inch long, brown ; irides reddish hazel. The 

 whole upper parts are of a rusty brown ; pale on the rump ; cheeks 

 light ferruginous ; the fore part of the neck grey ; in some the cheeks 

 are of the same colour ; breast and belly glossy white, mottled with ash- 

 colour and light ferruginous ; in some the ferruginous is wanting, espe- 

 cially in the females ; but both sexes are subject to vary in plumage 

 according to age ; legs dark dull green. 



This is the least and most plentiful species ; is common in most 

 lakes, slow rivers, small streams, and even fish-ponds. It seldom takes 

 wing, but dives on the least alarm, and will remain under water amongst 

 the reeds or other aquatic plants with only its bill above for respiration. 

 Its nest is formed, like the rest of the grebes, of a prodigious quantity 



