BABES Ci RE UK.
Though the Norfolk broads ue g—nerallj mppoeed to ham l>een the stronghold ol this Grebe in t lie
British Islands, I hare not observed any of these birds about the saltwater estuaries or riven daring
winter, and hut a single specimen was met with during the years I passed ou the cast coast at that season.
Shortly before daybreak on the Dth of November, 1*71.), while steaming through the St. Nicholas gat direct
for the open sea, a bird was distinctly heard to strike once or twice immediately above our heads against
the iron railings ou the bridge and fall apparently on deck. Though no signs of the unfortunate could
be discovered at the time, an Eared Grebe was found In the small boat when lowered to pick up soum
wounded Skuas. The head, which had evidently been trampled upon by one of the crew, appeared to have
suffered from previous injuries; there was, however, no dilliculty in ascertaining the species, as the wings
were sfill perfect.
As the winter plumage of the Eared closely resembles that of the Sclavoniuu Grebe, the following
remarks may he of service in assisting to identify specimen*, obtained at that season. The upper and lower
mandibles of the Eared Grebe turn slightly upwards towards the point, while the beak of the Sclavouian
is perfectly straight ; the latter also exhibits at all seasons a line of flesh from the eye towards the gape,
which is not apparent in this species. As previously stated, the white patch on the wing cxtcuds over
the upper and lower joints in the Eared Grebe (A), though in the Sclavoniau (It) it is merely visible ou the
upp'r; this distinction can lie easily recognised in the woodcuts.
A. li.
L I T T L E GREBE.
POMCEPS MINOR.
Tors diminutive Biver is widely distributed over the British Islands; I met with numbers on the shallow
and reedy lochs in Caithness, Sutherland, and IhSM'Slllie. several pairs also have been observed nesting
about the rush-grown pools and ponds in the cast of Sussex. Tt, is somewhat strange that in the east
of Norfolk, where the larger broads might naturally be Supposed to offer attractions to this species,
the Little Grebe is by no means abundant, the few that I have met with being observed for the most
part about the dvkes and small rush-grown pools iu the marshes. As their haunts arc generally surrounded
by low cover, such as elder, hazel, willow, or brambles, below which they seek shelter when alarmed, it is
probable that, though the fact of their residence iu these parts usually escapes the observation of the
natives, a few pairs rear their young in the district. In Sussex I remarked of late years that this species
appears to have considerably decreased in numbers, many of the pieces of water to which these birds
were regular summer visitors being now entirely deserted.
Though difficult to force on wing, an adult Little Grebe can fly strongly and at a rapid pace when
once a start has been effected; hut few opportunities for watching them making their way from one
spot to another have, however, fallen to my share. A pair that nested on a shallow and rush.grown pond
of about a quarter of an acre near the church in the centre of the village at Palmer, near Brighton, regularly
made their appearance on the approach of summer: their arrival and departure probably took place
during the hours of darkness, as I could gain no information concerning their movements from even the
workmen constantly employed near at hand.
In autumn a partial migration towards the south undoubtedly takes place; at this season small
parties numbering from three or four up to eight or nine, or even a dozen, have occasionally come uuder
my notice within a short distance of the shores of the Channel. The river and pools hi the marsh between
St. Leonards and Bulverhitbo, the backwater at the sluice iu l'evensey Level, and the flooded meaduws
between Lancing and Simrebam are the spots where the largest, gatherings have been witnessed. On
one occasion a party of (en were seen swimming and playing ou the open salt water just off the breakwaters
to the west of Sborcbam. Towards the latter end of September 1*7S Little Grebes were unusually
abundant along the south coast; for several consecutive days 1 noticed at least a dozen on a piece of
brackish water that had collected inside the shingle-banks. When threatened by danger the birds dived
in towards an embankment thrown up to keep back the encroaching tide, and concealed themselves
Utnong some faggots staked down to assist iu resisting the wash of the water. In several instances,
on approaching the spot near which one had been lost sight of, their bright eyes were detected below
the surface, their bodies being almost entirely hidden among the weeds and rubbish gathered between the
faggots. On retiring quietly from the vicinity of their place of concealment, hut few minutes elapsed
before they were again busily diving for food, black bugs and various other insects of repulsive aspect