BIRDS MET WITH BY THE WILDFOWLER 353 
curved ; legs and feet olive-green. In winter the ear tufts and 
black on the throat are lost, and at this season it closely 
resembles the preceding species, but the white on the primaries 
will always serve to distinguish it. Length about 12 in. ; 
wing 5 in. The female is similar to the male. 
LITTLE GREBE OR DABCHICK 
Podiceps minor (Brisson) 
The Little Grebe is a resident in the British Islands, in 
most parts of temperate Europe, and Asia. It becomes scarce 
in the north of Scotland. It must be fairly familiar to every 
one as a short, squat little bird that dives at the smallest alarm, 
only coming to the surface again some distance away, most often 
among the reeds and aquatic vegetation near which this bird 
is always found. 
These birds are seldom seen on the wing, and hardly 
ever on land, but nevertheless they are well able to stand up 
and even walk when on shore. 
In summer the plumage of the adult, except for the cheeks, 
throat, and sides of the neck, which are chestnut, is dark 
brown all over, rather lighter on the under parts. 
In winter the chin, neck, and under parts are nearly white. 
The female is similar to the male. The young show more 
brown above. Length from 8 to 10 in. ; wing 4 in. 
The species of birds met with by the wildfowler may be 
said to be almost innumerable. We have described those 
forming the wildfowler’s quarry and many species which often 
come before him. All the common and a few of the rare 
sporting species of wildfowl and shore birds have been 
described. While including several other birds, mention 
must be made that to enumerate herein all those which may 
come before the fowler’s notice is beyond possibility. No 
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