114 RED-NECKED GREBE. 



1828, but they are deemed very rare. It is, however, a 

 regular visitant 'in early spring, and late in the autumn, and 

 it occasionally happens that a pair of these birds remain 

 and breed in the county. One occurred at Surlingham, on 

 the 26th. of January, 1848. One, in breeding plumage, 

 near Yarmouth, the beginning of April, 1848; and one 

 shortly afterwards at Skottow. In Kent, two were procured 

 in April, 1786; and one, in after years, at Sandwich, in 

 October. In Essex, this species has occurred at Saffron 

 Walden. In Cornwall, a specimen was procured near Pen- 

 zance, in the beginning of April, 1850. One previously in 

 Falmouth harbour, and one at Looe. In Cumberland, one 

 was shot near Ulverston, towards the end of February, 1838. 

 In Oxfordshire, one near Henley-upon-Thames, in the winter 

 of 1850. One in Derbyshire, on the Derwent, near Derby, 

 in the beginning of 1844. In the county of Buckingham 

 a fine specimen of this bird, in winter plumage, was shot 

 at Sanderton, near Bisborough, on the 10th. of October, 1848. 

 In Berkshire, a Eed-necked Grebe was killed at Burghfield, 

 in May, 1792. In Kent, one in Stangate Creek, near the 

 mouth of the Medway, the 6th. of February, 1849. 



It is a common species in Scotland, on the Frith of Forth. 



In Orkney this .Grebe is not uncommon in the winter. It 

 has been observed so early as the 26th. of September. 



In Ireland it is considered extremely rare; has been met with 

 in the county of Dublin, and also at Belfast and other places. 



They appear not to be shy, until compelled by frequent 

 alarms for their safety to become so. 



They can fly well, but are only able to accomplish 'plain 

 sailing,' owing to the shortness of their wings. In swimming 

 and diving they are perfect adepts, and if pursued, merely 

 raise the bill above the surface for respiration. It is asserted 

 that in diving they do riot use their wings, thus threading 

 their way better through the masses of weeds. 



They feed on small fish, insects and their larvae, and appear, 

 like the other species, to swallow feathers plucked from 

 themselves. 



The note is a mere 'cack, cack,' varied at times in their 

 hours of pastime, into a sort of gabble. They appear, however, 

 to be fond of making the most of it, at least in the way of 

 quantity. 



The nest is made among reeds, flags, and rushes, on the 

 borders of fresh- water lakes and ponds, and is composed of 



