288 THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 



" Didopper," as our country people in Northampton- 

 shire commonly call this bird, is a very great favourite 

 of mine, and I have frequently spent time (which 

 would have been better employed perhaps in active 

 exercise), concealed behind a tree or bush, completely 

 fascinated by watching a couple of Dabchicks at 

 work on a ' wake ' or open hole in the ice. The 

 energy with which they dive, the sort of " can't help 

 it" manner in which they come to the surface like 

 corks, their constant upturned glances at birds 

 passing on wing, and, in fact, their whole demeanour 

 as absolute sovereigns of the selected banqueting- 

 place, are irresistibly amusing and have often made 

 me regret that our Nen has not afforded me 

 opportunities for watching these birds during their 

 breeding-season. I have found the Little Grebe 

 more or less commonly in all suitable localities 

 that I have visited on the Continent, and on the 

 shores of the Mediterranean ; it breeds, to my 

 knowledge, in considerable numbers in Spain, but 

 from my own experience of the south-western portion 

 of the Mediterranean, I am inclined to consider the 

 Eared Grebe as the more abundant of the two 

 species. 



I cannot conclude these Notes without an expression 

 of most sincere gratitude to my many correspondents, 

 without whose friendly communications my list would 

 have been poor indeed, as for many years past I 

 have been debarred by physical infirmity from any but 

 the most casual open-air observation. It is only now 

 left to me to say that I am most fully aware of the 

 many imperfections in these Notes, and that I shall 

 be deeply grateful for any corrections. 



