350 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
During the breeding season it ‘‘drums” in the same 
manner as the Common Snipe, the noise having been com- 
pared to the cantering of a horse on a hard road. 
It may always be distinguished from the Common Snipe 
by its smaller size and shorter bill. Length 7°5 in. 
RED-BREASTED SNIPE 
Eveunetes griseus (Gmelin) 
Some half-dozen examples of this American species have 
been met with in England, all of them during the autumn 
months. 
At this time of year, except in size and length of bill, it 
resembles a Dunlin ; but in spring the under parts are chest- 
nut, spotted on the breast and barred on the flanks with 
dark brown. The feathers of the back are black, edged and 
barred with rufous. Rump and upper tail-coverts white barred 
with black. The shaft of the outermost primary is pure white. 
Length about ro in. ; wing 5°5 in. 
GREAT CRESTED GREBE 
Podiceps cristatus (Linneus) 
We have often had to lament the extermination or decrease 
of many species, and it is a real pleasure to have to record that 
a fine species like the present has increased abundantly of late 
years. 
This has been done chiefly by very strict protection, and 
although still a locally distributed resident, there are now 
many places where it is common, and in Scotland it breeds on 
several lochs as far north as Aberdeenshire. It nests also in 
parts of Ireland. It is practically a resident and may be found 
with us at all times of the year, but the majority leave their 
