Cock before February, and Hen: Reddish brown with a lighter-coloured border to many of the feathers. (Illus. I. D., p. 196; also I. G. III., p. 141.)
[231]. Podicipes albipennis: The Indian Little Grebe, or Dabchick. (F. 1617), (J. 975), (+II.)
This is one of the most aquatic birds in existence. It rarely walks on terra firma, and never takes to flight from the water. When alarmed it seeks safety by diving. Writing of this bird, Eha says, “I do not know how to describe it better than to say that you might take it for a small chicken without a tail. Its colour is dark glossy brown on the upper parts, with some rich chestnut on the sides of the neck. Young birds are lighter.” (Illus. B. B., p. 184.)
THE END
INDEX TO DESCRIPTIVE LIST
A Adjutant, [220]
B Babblers, [95] Barbets, [157] Bee-eaters, [160] Bulbuls, [99] Bunting, [139] Bustards, [199] Buzzards, [180]
C Cranes, [197] Crows, [93] Cormorants, [216] Cuckoos, [169] Cuckoo-shrikes, [115] Curlews, [205] Chats, [126]