51 



Podiceps minor. 



Little Grebe. 



LOCAL NAMES. EGG OBSERVED. 



Babchick April 29th, 1865. 



Didapj^er April 2Gtli, 1866. 



Dipper April 23rd, 1867. 



Sea Woodcoch (!) April llth, 1868. 



April 7th, 1869. ^' 



1870. 



This only tolerably common repesentative of the Grebe 

 family remains with ns all the year round, and breeds in 

 most of the osier beds. It is, however, often regarded as 

 rather a rare bird, I suppose on account of its diving so 

 quickly at the least alarm, that it is difficult to obtain a 

 good sight of it. 



The last in the rather long list of country names is rather 

 a peculiar one. Connected with it is the following anecdote, 

 which I have from a gamekeeper, a native of Aldboume, 

 and a firm believer in the fact that *' sea woodcock " is the 

 scientific name of this bird. A little grebe appeared in a 

 farm yard pond at Aldbourne. No one knew what this, as 

 they supposed, " rara avis " was ; a bedridden old man, who 

 was supposed to be possessed of a good deal of ornithological 

 knowledge, was accordingly wheeled out in his arm chair 

 to give his opinion. A good deal of hesitation ensued, and 

 the " man of science" at last pronounced it a "sea wood- 

 cock," and by this name it has since been known. 



This bird, at first sight, would seem to be incapable of 

 walking on dry land. I have, however, during very severe 

 weather, seen them leave the water in search of food . 



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