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 (Brissoti) 



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 



