BRITISH BIRDS, 
136 
fprinkled with numerous fmall dark fpots^ whichj 
at the thicker end, feem as if they had run into 
each other, and formed bigger blotches. y 
As foon as the young quit the Ihell, they plunge 
into the water, dive, and fwim about with great eafe ; 
but they ftill gather together about the mother, and 
take ihelter under her wings, and do not entirely, 
leave her for fome time. They are at firft covered 
with footy-coloured down, and are of a fliapelefs 
appearance : while they are in this ftate, and before 
they have learned, by experience, to fliun their foes, 
the Kite, Moor Buzzard, and others of the Hawk 
tribe, make dreadful havoc among them ; * and this, 
notwithflanding the numerous brood, may account 
for the fcarcity of the fpecies. 
^ The Pike is alfo the indifcriminate devourer of the young 
of all thefe water birds. 
