DABCHICX
HARK1 SWITCH DY DIG, 01' THE ANCIENT BRITISH.
DOBCHICK. LITTLE GREBE. BLACK-CHINNED GREBE. D1DAPPEE.
DIICKER. DIPPER. SMALL DOUCKEU. LITTLE DOUCKER. LOON.
Cohmhcs Hcbridicus, GMELIN.
Podiaps minor, PENNANT. MONTAGU.
" Hcbridicus, MONTAGU. BEWICK.
Colymbus—K Diver. HthtHUcuS—Belonging to the Hebrides.
THIS small species is common in Europe in Switzerland, and is
found in F r a n c e , I t a l y , H o l l a n d , and Germany.
I t is noticed also at the Cape of Good H o p e , and in other parts
of south Africa. In Asia it appears to exist likewise in the same
l a t i t u d e s .
The D a b c h i c k is very g e n e r a l l y d i s t r i b u t e d over the B r i t i s h Islands,
and though more commonly seen perhaps in winter than in summer,
appears b o t h in t h e e x t r e m e n o r t h a n d the farthest south at all seasons.
I t s natural home is the water, both the open lake and the village
pond, the gently flowing river and the still pool, the n a r r ow streamlet
and at times the edge of the open sea. In winter, when the frost
has shut the door of its natural l a r d e r , it betakes itself to the saltwater,
if within reach, and is then to be found in bays and seaside
pools.
I n the 'Zoologist,' page 1601, J . H . G u r n e y and "VV. K. F i s h e r , E s q r s .,
r e l a t e that more than one specimen of the L i t t l e Grebe were taken
about the 14th. of December, 184(i, in t h e streets of N o r w i c h ; and on
t h e 23rd., a gentleman, who was passing about eleven o'clock at n i g ht
along the street, was surprised by a bird of this species suddenly
s t r i k i n g against the wall near a g a s - l a m p , which was above him, and
immediately afterwards falling upon his head. In Norfolk they are not