2 
llED-Ni:CKED GREBE. 
to six congers, the other five weighing between tAventy and thirty pounds, with five-and-twenty score of 
rock-Avhiting and fu’e score of other fish. 
The summer plumage appears to he retained later in the season by this species than by its relative 
the Great Crested Grebe. \Yhile brought up fishing on the Church rocks off Shoreham, on the 13th 
of September, 1881, I noticed an adult fly past our boat within half a gun-shot, but being engaged at the 
moment in hauling up the line, I AA'as unable to snatch up the breech-loader in time to secure it- the 
bird appeared exceedingly brightly coloured, none of the tints assumed during the breeding-season havino- 
yet faded. Again, about a fortnight later, on the 4th of October, Avhile brought up at the same spot, another 
passed, making its Avay Avest, in almost similar plumage, though slight signs of a change in the bri"ht 
red tints of the neck seemed to have taken place. 
I have met Avith but feAV of this species during the winter months, but succeeded in shootino- a 
fine specimen, exhibiting the plumage put on at that season, off Shoreham, on the 28th of January, 1881. 
This Avas a fcAV days after the terrible gale that commenced on the 18th of the month and Avas followed 
by the excessive cold that caused such destruction to all small birds; the continued severity also 
drove thousands of Geese and other WildfoAvl into the Channel along the south coast, and many Grebes 
of various species were observed at the same time within a short distance of the shore. On the 
10th of Decembei’, 1879, the weather, though exceedingly cold with a heavy frost, being fine Avith 
scaicely a bieath of AAind, I met AA’ith an unusual number of Grebes collected at low- water, diA-in" 
for food over the sandy flats between Lancing and AVorthing. A few of difiTerent species were obtained 
as specimens, among Avhich was a Red-necked Grebe ; judging from its small size, more dingy colouring, 
and the absence of gloss on the feathers of the breast so conspicuous on some adults, I am inclined 
to believe it Avas an immature bird in the plumage of the first winter. 
The juvenile Avhich, as previously stated, was obtained on Breydon on the 11th of August, 1873, 
proved exceedingly wary, and a Avhole day was passed in the attempt to make a successful shot, and 
even when fatally wounded he escaped for a time. The diminutive stranger Avas first sighted on the 
deep water at the Avest end of the flats, diving among the masses of dense green Aveed that form such 
a favourite resort for grey mullet ; on the approach of the punt it at once ducked below the surfaee, and 
concealin^^ itself in the tangle. Though three boats with my puntmen, 
all experienced gunners and Avell up to the Avork of searching for crippled fowl, surrounded the spot at 
the distance of forty or fifty yards apart, no signs of a ripple on the surface or even the slightest 
moA-ement among the Aveeds could be detected during the hour and half we remained on the Avatch. 
As a last resource we inoA^ed to the bank on the north side of the flats, and, by the help of the glasses, 
kejit the surface of the Avater at the spot Ave had lost sight of the bird under constant supervision for 
about two hours Avithout any result. Then, liaA-ing produced refreshments, another hour Avas passed; on 
looking again Avith the glasses soon after our repast Avas finished, the small diver Avas discovered SAvimming 
slowly about here and there on the open Avater among the Aveeds, and occasionally plunging beloAV the surface, 
evidently busily engaged in pursuit of food. The punt was next sculled silently toAA'ards the spot, and without 
haAung raised the slightest alarm, a shot was fired from the big gun at about the distance of fifty yards, and 
the smoke clearing off, the bird Avas lying apparently helpless on the water. Great AA*as the astonishment 
Avhen, on an attempt being made to pick up our prize, it gave a short struggle and at once disappeared beloAV 
the surface, and remained inA'isible during the Avhole of the afternoon, not a sign of its jiresence being 
detected, though Ave AA-aited till darkness had set in. Having determined to rake up and thoroughly search 
through the weeds * about this part of the Avatcr, we made an early start the following morning. On an-iA'ing 
at the spot, however, soon after daybreak, the bird Avas discovered floating dead in a small open pool among 
• On a former occasion a wounded Mallard, that dived and got suspended in the weeds in this part of the water, was secured by these means. 
