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Earep QGrese.—This Grebe is easily distinguished from the Sclavonian Grebe by the 
bill being gradually turned upwards to the tip, and also by the throat and upper 
part of breast being black instead of chestnut. Length, 12 inches; wing, 5 inches. 
Lirrte Grepr.—in summer the adult has the head, neck, and upper parts dark brown; 
throat and sides of neck and head, chestnut; chin, black; under parts, white ; 
flanks, dusky; bill-horn, yellowish at gape ; iris, reddish brown ; legs, dull green. 
Length, 94 inches; wing, 4¢ inches. In winter much paler, and the head and 
neck are brown; the chin, white. The young are dark brown, streaked with 
yellowish brown. 
III. Where, when, and in what numbers found. 
Tae Great Crestep Gresr.—This bird, more generally called “ Loon” or “ Diver,” is 
mostly a summer visitant, especially on meres, large pools, and reservoirs in 
Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, and Yorkshire, the Broads of Norfolk and 
Suffolk, and the Lakes of Wales; but it frequently remains as a resident during 
the winter, unless driven away by frost and ice, when it migrates to the larger 
rivers and estuaries, and the sea coast. In winter it is met with on the east coast ; 
in the North it becomes rarer, and is of rare occurrence in Scotland. In Ireland 
this bird is not uncommon on some of the larger lakes, where it breeds. 
Rep-NECKED Grese.—A winter visitant to our east and north-east coasts, and in 
severe winters in some numbers. In Scotland it is not uncommon on the east 
coast, and is very rare in Ireland. 
Sciavontan Grese.—A winter and spring visitant to our east and north-east coasts, 
and more frequently observed up the east coast of Scotland. Occasionally in 
Treland. 
Earev Grese.—A very rare and accidental visitant to the British Isles on spring and 
autumn migration. 
Lirrte Gresre.—More generally known as the “ Dabchick” or “ Jack Doucker.’’ This 
is the commonest of our Grebes, and resident on most lakes, meres, ponds, and reedy 
streams in England, Scotland, and Ireland. When frozen out it migrates to the 
swifter streams, rivers, and estuaries. 
IV.—Food. 
The food of all the Grebes consists of small fish, young fry, water imsects and their 
larvee, tadpoles and young frogs, water snails, and the seeds and tender shoots of water 
weeds. When on the coast, marine crustacea. or fish, and molluses, form the principal 
food. A Norfolk naturalist has truly said: ‘‘ No perceptible injury is done by these 
birds, and nobody insinuates there is, and their beauty and appropriateness to Broad- 
land amply atones for what they may devour.” In the destruction of insects and seeds of 
water weeds they undoubtedly render a great service to man. 
VY. Characteristics. 
Undoubtedly the chief characteristics of the Grebes is their wonderful power of diving, 
for which they are so specially formed, both on the approach of danger, and also when in 
search of food, and on this power they seem to rely for preservation. When alarmed, the 
Great Crested Grebe instinctively sinks its body underneath the surface of the water, leaving 
only the head and neck or part of the neck above. If further alarmed the bird at once dives, 
appearing again at a distance of 50 or 100 yards, and continues this operation until it feels at 
a sate distance away. This habit is unfortunately sometimes taken advantage of by gunners, 
who row down the bird by means of a boat until it is exhausted, and comes within range and 
is shot. The Little Grebe when in danger instantly dives, and so quickly can this be done that 
the little bird frequently escaped between the flash and the deadly shot of the old flint gun. On 
coming to the surface with scarcely a ripple, the dive is repeated, and the bird takes advantage 
of a water-lily or other aquatic leaf under which to conceal itself, with the beak only above the 
