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THE DABCHICK. 
Eusticus, of Godalming in Surrey, thus writes of this 
bird : — 
The Eared Grehe is resident in one locality, Forked Pond, a 
very pretty lake-hke piece of water, on the Pepper-harrovr estate. A 
portion of the pond is in the park, and here its margin is wooded 
and picturesque ; but towards the silk-mills, at the Hammerponds 
end, it is more exposed. On this pond I have observed these rare 
Grebes many following seasons, not in great numbers, but two or 
three pairs, and they always keep out in the middle of the pond. 
Mr, Henry Maline has a fine pair, which were probably killed at 
this pond, having been sent him by the late Mr. Howard, of Elsted, 
but without the requisite information as to locality. 
DABCHICK. 
The European Dabchick {Sylheocyclus Europceus)^ some- 
times called the Dibber, Didapper, Dobchick, Little Ducker. 
This, which is the Little Grebe of some authors, has 
been separated from the gemis Podiceps^ and placed, with 
some American cousins, in a distinct genus, bearing the 
above sybilline title, whereat the familiar Dabchick would 
be no little astonished if he ever heard it applied to him.- A 
curious little fellow is this ; fond of ducking and diving, 
and performing all sorts of antics in the water. He diifers 
from the Grebes chiefly in having the body short and full, 
and the bill not so long as the head. The male bird is 
about ten inches in length ; the upper part of the head and 
throat are bhack ; the sides and fore part of the neck chest- 
nut \ the chest and sides of the body dusky ; the upper 
