Page:The Common Birds of Bombay.djvu/205

Rh not remain white very long, for the cautious little bird never leaves them without covering them with wet weeds, to conceal them from hostile eyes, and their chalky texture gets so stained that before they are hatched they have usually acquired a rich brown, or bronze, hue. As soon as the little ones come out they take to the water and swim after their mother, or sit upon her back when they want a rest. The breeding season is of course the rains, when the tanks are full. At that time the Dabchicks get noisy, constantly uttering a shrill, querulous cry.

I ought to mention that Grebes are not classed with Ducks in any modern system, and are in truth very different. Their feet are not webbed in the same way, but each toe has its own web and forms a separate oval paddle.