SM BW.
they were especially abundant, U D u few were shot by the shorc-guuuors •bowl the creeks AND IN tin' barbdoa,
On several oooaalottl I attempted lu scull up within range; but tlio birds were invariably im the alert, and
to approach within the distance or one hundred yards was utterly Impossible; running down before the wind
uniler sail was also tried with a like result. One adult male only, so far as I was able to ascertain, put in an
appearance in the district ; in company with a female, he was discovered feeding in the basin at Southwick by
an inexperienced -hooter, who succeeded in stalking w ithin a fair distance, and, considering the bird with a red
head a more desirable specimen, slaughtered the female with a steady pot-shot and allowed the drake to escape
without making an attempt to use his second barrel. The weather during the tatter end of 18*1 was unusually
mild, westerly and southerly winds prevailing, and hut few or the diving-fowl were seen, though I kept a
constant look-out on one or two of the larger broads in the cast of Norfolk. Dense sea-fogs with scarcely a
breath of air set in early in 1HH2, and for weeks the screeching and Mlowing of Hie fog-horn* and whistles
on the light-ships off the coast were a constant infliction; such a coot in nation of open weather necessarily
aceountod for the small number of foreign fowl on our waters. On Hiekling llroad I noticed hut one immature
Smew and an adult male Goosander; the former was shot, while the latter, after resorting to the open portion
of the i aler for a few days, took his departure unmolested, evidently poaooeeing a strong objection to permit a
near approach.
The young male depicted in the 1'late was obtained on Ilitkling Broad on the 24th of January, 18S2;
when tirst seen, his small sire at once attracting attention, the bird was fly-ins; in company with live immature
Goldeiieycs. After wheelimr round several times the party settled on the open water and commenced
plunging below the surface; the presence, however, of the other watchful Divers rendered it impossible to
obtain a shot nt the tiny stranger : after bein«* twice alarmed they rose high in the air and left the water,
heading straight for Horsey Mere. A couple of hours later a small while-breasted fowl was observed diving
close under tin1 dark shadow thrown by the muddy bank of one of the hills, and an inspection through the
glasses instantly revealed the fact that our friend of the moraine; had returned alone, and was busily engaged
In searching for food. Not a breath of air was stirring, and the water being as smooth as glass, little time
was lost in sculling towards the spot ; baring arrived within the distance of fifty yards without causing the
slightest alarm, we paused to watch the manner in which he pursued bis prey. Several times this active little
Diver returned to the surface, having evidently met with no success, as after looking wistfully round he
instanlly plunged again. At Inst with an unusual flutter, causing a perceptible ripple on the water, the
hungry bird dashed up to within thirty yards of the punt, making frantic but apparently vain attempts to
swallow a Bah protruding at least a couple of inches from his bill. With distended throat ami widely opened
mandibles, be swam ruund and round in circles, stretching forward his neck, and repeatedly dipping his hill
below tlie surface for the distance of two or three yards; from time to time he lifted his head in the air with
a resolute shake. After theen antics hail been continued for some five or six minutes, the bird socnied to
have satisfactorily disposed of his troublesome capture, and rising half out of the water commenced Happing
bis w ings in the most vigorous maimer ; this was a chance not to lie lost, and a charge from I he punt-gun at
about sixty yards laid this diminutive wanderer from the north dead ns a stone on the water. On examination
the stomach was round to contain ouc fresh roach of such dimensions that, when the small gullet or the bird
was considered, it appeared a mystery bow the little glutton succeeded in getting it down. There were also
the bones of another fish of the same species, several minute shells and stone, and some fibrous grassy roots;
tlie latter were probably portions of the weed torn up from (he Imttom when the shells were swallowed.
The colours of the soft purls were as follows '—Iris very dark haiel ; mandibles, upper and lower, slate, the
line of the teeth a lighter hue, nail also lighter. Inside of mouth and tongue slate, changing into a flesh-tint
towards the point of the beak. Legs mid toes shite, webs darker, with a narrow line of a lighter tint each
side or the toes.