6 TIED-NECKED GREBE.
species along the N o r t h u m b r i a n coast, bv the F e r n Islands, and other
p a r t s ; also on that of Durham. In Gloucestershire one, also a young
b i r d , near Hibury, in J a n u a r y , 1850. In S u r r e y , near Godalming.
I n Norfolk three were shot at Yarmouth, in J a n u a r y , 1828, but
thoy are deemed very rare. It is, however, a regular visitant in
e a r l y spring, and late in the autumn, and it occasionally happens
t h a t a pair of these birds remain and breed in the county. One
o c c u r r e d at. Surlingham, on the 26th. of J a n u a r y , 1848. One, in
b r e e d i n g plumage, near Yarmouth, the b e g i n n i n g of April, 1818; and
one s h o r t l y afterwards at Skottowe. In Kent, two were procured in
A p r i l , 1786; a n d one, in after years, at Sandwich, in October. In
E s s e x , this species has occurred at Saffron Walden. In Cornwall, a
specimen was procured near Penzance, in the beginning of April,
1850. One previously in Falmouth harbour, and one at Looe. In
C u m b e r l a n d , one was shot near Ulverston, towards the end of
F e h r u n r y , 1838. In Oxfordshire, one near I l e n l c y - u p o n - T h a m e s , in
t h e winter of 1850. One in D e r b y s h i r e , on the Dcrwent, near Derby,
i n the b e g i n n i n g of 1844. In the county of Buckingham a fine
specimen of this bird, in winter plumage, was shot at Sanderton,
near Risborough, on the 10th. of October, 1848. In Berkshire, a
R e d - n e c k e d Grebe was killed at Bnrghficld, in May, 1792. In Kent,
one in Stangate Creek, near the mouth of the Med way, the 6th. of
F e b r u a r y , 1849.
I t is a common species in Scotland, on the F r i t h of F o r t h ; occurs
also in C a i t h n e s s ; and in East Lothian not uncommonly, on the Forth.
I n Orkney this Grebe is not uncommon in the winter. It has been
observed so early as the @6th. of September.
I n I r e l a n d it is considered extremely r a r e ; has been met with in the
c o u n t y of D u b l i n , and also at Belfast and other places.
T h e y appear not to be shy, until compelled by frequent alarms for
t h e i r safety to become so.
T h e y can fly v e r y well, b u t are only able to accomplish ' p l a i n sailing,'
owing to t h e shortness of their wings. In swimming and diving they
a r e perfect adepts, and if pursued, merely raise the bill above the
surface for respiration. It is asserted that in diving they do not use
t h e i r wings, thus treading their way better through the masses of
weeds.
T h e y feed on small fish, insects and their larva?, and appear like the
o t h r r species, to swallow feathers p l u c k e d from themselves.
The note is a mere ' c a c k , cack,' varied at times in their hours of
pastime, into a sort of gabble. They appear, however, to be fond of
making the most of it, at least in the way of quantity.
HEl)-NECJiJii> G HEBE. 7
The nest is made among reeds, flags, and rushes, on the borders of
fresh-water lakes and ponds, and is composed of the said materials.
I t is placed upon the water, and attached to the growing vegetation.
The eggs of the Red-necked Grebe are either white, or white with
a slight tinge of blue or green, clouded, Selby says, with deep brown.
They are four five in number.
Several pairs of these birds breed in the same locality.
The male and female both assist in the construction of the nest, and
shew much affection for their charge. The y o u n g take to the water as
soon as they are hatched.
Male; weight, from about eighteen or nineteen ounces to twentyt
h r e e ; length, one foot four and a half, or from that to one foot five
inches and a half, to one foot six inches. Bill, dusky black, or dark
horn-colour, except about the base, which is r e d d i s h yellow, and the
u n d e r side of the lower mandible is of the l a t t e r colour; in w i n t e r the
r e d becomes pale yellow. Iris, fine orange red. The crest, which is
short, the feathers being a l i t t l e l e n g t h e n e d on each side of the upper
p a r t of the head, and capable of being extended or not at pleasure,
t h e forehead and crown, r i c h blackish brown, in winter tinged with
g r e y ; the sides of the lower part of the head, greyish white. Neck
on the back, and nape, d a r k grevish black; the sides and front of the
neck, rusty yelLowish r e d ; chin and throat, white, or greyish white.
Breasl on the u p p e r part, and below, silvery greyish white, t u r n i n g to
brownish grey, w i t h some d u s k y streaks on t h e sides. Back, dark g r e y i sh
or blackish brown; the tips of the feathers being greyish brown, the
remainder blackish brown.
The wings are very short; greater and lesser wing coverts, dusky
blackish brown; primaries, dark, nearly black towards the tips, the
remainder dark tawny b r o w n ; secondaries, mostly white, and some with
more or less black on the outer webs, one or two of the first, that is,
towards the outside of the wing, have the tips only white, gradually
increasing on each; t e r t i a r i e s , dusky blackish brown. Under tail c o v e r t s,
greyish brown. The legs arc b r o a d and flat, edgeways towards t h e front.
They are greenish black on the outer part, and on the inner dull
yellowish g r e e n ; toes, t h e same; lobes, d u s k y on the outside.
Female; bill at the base, dull yellow. Crown, neck on the back,
and nape, d u s k y ; t h r o a t , white. Breast above, p a l e r e d d i s h rust-colour,
mixed with some d u s k y ; below, d u s k y white. Back dusky.
The young have the head and neck dusky brown, the chin and
t h r o a t greyish white; the back paler than in the adult.