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lagoon, it usually remains under about 20 seconds, and then rises to the surface for an interval of 
7 seconds, repeating these actions with the utmost regularity, as I have observed by timing them 
with my stop-watch. It flies with difficulty and only for a short distance, skimming the surface with 
a very laboured flapping of its little wings. On the water it usually swims low, and with a rapid 
jerking movement of the head. The form of its body and the laminated structui*e of its feet are 
admirably adapted to its subaqueous performances; and in clear water I have watched the bird 
gliding easily along the gravelly bottom, with the neck stretched forward and moved from side to 
side, and the wings partially open, the feet being used as a means of progression. It utters, at 
intervals, a peculiar sibilant note, from which it derives its native name of Weiveia, Although 
generally found in pairs it is gregarious also, and I have counted as many as twenty consorting 
together on a small sheet of water at Manawatu. Its natural element is the water, which it seldom 
quits : but when resting, as it sometimes does, on a bank, at the water’s edge, it assumes a very upright 
position with the neck stretched up to its full length. 
It is naturally a very curious or inquisitive bird, and if an object is kept moving within sight, or 
something is done to arrest attention, the Dabchicks, after swimming about for a time, will approach 
nearer and nearer, jerking the head forward in the manner already described as they advance. Some- 
times they swim so low that the back is scarcely visible above the water ; at other times the whole 
body seems to rise above the surface. They indulge, too, in a habit of standing bolt upright in 
the water and flapping their wings, apparently for the purpose of shaking the water out of them. 
Kecently, three were shot in a deep freshwater lake not far from Hokianga Point ; these had their 
stomachs crammed with a species of leech, about an inch in length and of a pale yellow colour. 
Captain Mair states that this bird is very plentiful in the Hot Springs district, and especially in 
Kaiteriria and Rotorua lakes. On its habits he has furnished me with the following note : — “ In 
1869 I was riding along the shores of Tikitapu lake with H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, when our 
attention was arrested by a pair of Dabchicks with their young. We drew up and watched them for 
some time. Taking alarm at our approach, the female took her five young ones on her back and 
made several dives with them, coming up after each submersion at distances of ten yards or more. 
The young birds appeared to nestle under the feathers of the parent’s back, and to hold on with their 
bills. In this manner they continued to dive till they were entirely out of sight, and H.R.H. appeared 
to be much interested in this singular performance.” 
The Dabchick is very properly included in the schedule to ‘ The Wild Birds Protection Act,’ 
and the wanton killing of the bird is punishable by fine. Notwithstanding this, however, a few find 
their way into the market ; and it was the sight of one of these birds hanging in a poulterer’s shop 
at Wellington that drew from the vigorous pen of Mr. Edward Wakefield, in the ‘Evening Press,’ 
a very pathetic appeal concluding thus : — “ Anyone who deliberately slaughters a Dabchick, must 
surely be of that ruthless quality which would have achieved for him a distinguished position in the 
service of Herod the King. But to all sportsmen, and to all colonists, whether sportsmen or not, we 
would say. Spare the poor little, defenceless, inoffensive Dabchicks ! Have the manliness to deny 
yourself a moment’s selfish excitement, for the sake of helping to prolong the existence of any of those 
few races of God’s dear creatures which we found in possession of New Zealand when first we intruded 
ourselves upon its solitudes.” 
The nest of this species is a large and somewhat clumsy structure, formed of the roots and 
leaves of various aquatic plants, but always well concealed. The eggs of the Dabchick, usually two 
in number, are of a perfect elliptical form, and greenish white when first laid, with a granulate 
surface, and often presenting round warty excrescences. Examples vary slightly as to size ; but an 
average specimen measures 1'7 inch in length by 1 in breadth. After long incubation the surface 
of the shell becomes smeared and stained to a yellowish-brown colour. 
