274 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX. 



Red-throated Diver : Colymbus scptentriojiaUs. Locally, 

 "Sprat-Loon." 



A fairly-abundant bird during winter on the Essex coast, where it 

 is commonly known as the " Sprat-Loon." Individuals are occasion- 

 ally blown far inland by severe storms. 



Pennant says (^Bi'it. ZooL, 1768-70. ii. p. 414): "On the Thames, they are 

 called Sprat Loons, for they attend that fish during its continuance in the river." 

 Yarrell also says (14. iii. 336) "it is common about the estuary of the Thames, 

 both on the Kentish and Essex sides, where these birds follow the numerous 

 shoals of sprats, and are in consequence called the Sprat-Loons. They are fre- 

 quently caught in the nets." Mr. Clarke notes the occurrence of an immature in- 

 dividual at Saffron Walden in Feb., 1838 (24), and informs me that some years 

 ago a mature specimen was shot by a gamekeeper on the lake in Debden Park. 

 Mr. C. Walford wrote in Jan., 1839 (19. 90) that an adult bird in moult had re- 

 cently been taken at Maldon. It had the red on its neck. Mr. Bond met with an 

 adult at Southend early in Sept., 1842 (23. 40). Early on the morning of Dec. 

 2nd, 1876, during a heavy fall of rain and a high wind which had blown all 

 night from the S.E., a female (?) specimen alighted in the garden of a cottage 

 at Springfield, immediately opposite the gaol, to the great surprise of the occupants 

 of the cottage. It had no doubt been blown inland by the gale, but from the first 

 it exhibited little or no fear of human beings, and lived contentedly for a fortnight 

 in a pig-pen in the garden, without making any attempt to fly away. It was fond 

 of sprats and earthworms. In the end, it was killed for stuffing (44. iv. Ixxiv.). 

 Mr. Lister watched one — apparently a young bird — on the Basin in Wanstead 

 Park in Jan., 1877 (47. 97, and44. Ixxvi.). Dr. Bree says (29. Apr. 23), about the 

 middle of April, 1881, " Mr. Ely sent me from Sible Hedingham a live specimen 

 which was picked up off his land by a labourer. It could not fiy, but no reason 

 was discovered upon dissection." 



An albino specimen, shot in Essex, and preserved by Ward, was among the 

 birds left by the late Col. Russell. The whole (i^cluding the legs and bill) is pure 

 white, except a few dark feathers on the back (29. Mar. 8, 1862 ; and 23. 8002). 



Family PODICIPID^. 



Red-necked Grebe : Podiceps griseigena. 



A somewhat rare visitor, chiefly to our coast, from autumn to 

 spring. 



Mr. Clarke records (24) a fine adult specimen killed on the lake in Debden 

 Park on Apr. 20th, 1839. Morris (27a. vi. 299) sa3's it has occurred at Saffron 

 Walden, Yarrell says (37. iv. 125), "Examples have been obtained at irregular 

 intervals in Essex, Kent, Sussex," &c. A specimen was shot at Wethersfield during 

 the severe winter of 1837-38 (19. 34). One was caught by a dog in a pool of water 

 on the sea-shore at Dovercourt on Nov. 26th, 1875 (Kerry — 34. 4827). Another 

 was captured at Bradwell, after half an hour's exciting chase, about the end of Sept., 

 1876 [Chelmsford Chronicle^ Oct. 6th). In the winter of 1877-78, Mr. Crick received 

 for preservation one said to have been shot near Witham. Mr. Lister saj^s (47. 97) 

 early "in February, 1877, oris of these birds remained for almost a week on the 



