L I T T L E GRE B E , O R D A B C H IC K .
Podiceps minor, Lin n .
Le Grèbe custagneux.
T he changes in plumage which even a bird so common as the Dabchick undergoes, have been until lately so
little understood as to have produced for a single species a double nomenclature. It is now, however, known
that the black-chinned Grebe of older authors, and by them supposed to be a distinct species, is the Podiceps
minor in its summer plumage. In this state, as well'as in that which it assumes in winter, we have introduced
it in our Plate.
To this little bird, as to its congeners, the water is the native and familiar element. Extensively spread over
Europe, except as we approach the more northern regions, it may be seen busily traversing the surface of
inland waters, or dipping and diving in pursuit of its food; still it is shy, and distrustful of man, disliking his
presence, and avoiding his prying curiosity by retreating at his approach to its reedy covert ; or, if this be impracticable,
diving among floating weeds and water-lilies, where, with its bill alone above the surface, for
the purpose o f breathing, it will remain patiently watching till the danger be past, when it will cautiously
emerge and seek its wonted haunt.
At ease and alert as is the Dabchick on the waters, it exhibits on terrafirma a complete contrast, waddling
along in ail awkward and constrained manner, and glad to escape to its congenial element again. Its powers
of flight are also inconsiderable ; unless, indeed, it rises to a certain elevation, when, notwithstanding the
shortness of the wings and absence of tail, it can sustain a long and rapid excursion.
The young when just excluded are in the perfect possession of all those powers which especially tend to
their preservation. While yet covered with down, and perfectly incapable o f flight, they may be seen, in company
with the parent birds, swimming and diving, either in the exuberance of animal enjoyment, or in pursuit
of food : hence the legs and beak, which in most birds are long in acquiring their full development, outstrip
in the present instance the acquisition o f the powers of wing, this latter endowment being less immediately
and intimately connected with their preservation and the manner of obtaining subsistence.
In winter, while in its brown plumage, the Dabchick gives the preference to broad extensive waters, lakes
or rivers, associating together in small numbers during theseason of clouds and storms, and on the approach
of spring separating by pairs in different directions over the country in search of a more secluded and con-
• genial breeding-place ; often taking up their abode in small ponds close to the habitation of man.
Should the lover of nature watch them at the time o f their building without being discovered, (an attainment
of the utmost difficulty, as every sense seems alive to danger and gives notice o f intrusion,) he will be
delighted to mark their playfulness and agility, while the tone of happiness and enjoyment which pervades
their actions and their mutual labours, throws an additional charm over the picture.
The nest of this bird is composed of a mass of green plants, loosely interwoven, which floats on the water.
In this the female deposits her eggs to the number of four or five, the original whiteness of which becomes
discoloured, apparently from the juices of the plants in contact with them, and the wet feet of the parent
birds.
The female Dabchick, at least under certain circumstances, (as the author has often personally witnessed,)
is undoubtedly in the habit o f covering her eggs on leaving the nest ; and he has watched while this action has
been performed : it is effected in a rapid and hurried manner, by pulling over them portions of the surrounding
herbage.
In the summer plumage the beak is blackish ; tip, base, and naked skin which extends to the eye, yellowish-
white ; eyes reddish ; crown of the head, back of the neck, and chin, o f a brownish black with green reflections •
sides and front o f the neck of a lively chestnut ; the whole of the upper surface together with the sides and
wings blackish with olive reflections ; the thighs and rump tinged with ferruginous ; the under surface more
or less silvery ; legs and feet dark olive-green, without assuming a flesh-colour on the inner surface.
In winter the colour of the plumage differs little from that o f the birds o f the first year, which consists of
a uniform brown above and more or less silvery beneath ; the two sexes having little external distinction either
in winter or summer.
The total length nine inches.