76 THE BIRDS OF RAIN HAM. 



the wild fowl departed, and the vessels again began 

 to sail, our river resuming its normal condition. 



A beautiful male Smew was shot on one of our 

 island marshes a few years previously. 



RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 

 Mergus serrator, Linn. 



The Red-breasted Merganser is not uncommon, it 

 comes into our creeks on the Medway whenever the 

 weather is cold enough, it appears to be partial to 

 the creeks, never flying by choice over the land, has 

 been in many instances shot, fine handsome adult 

 males, also females, but the young are the most 

 numerous. 



GOOSANDER. 

 Mergus merganser ; Linn. 



1 only know of one instance of the Goosander 

 coming on the Medway ; an immature bird was shot 

 while flying at some height over our saltines in 

 winter time a few years ago. 



GREAT CRESTED GREBE. 

 Podiceps cristatus (Linn.). 



The Great Crested Grebe make its appearance 

 singly nearly every winter on our creeks. They are 



