i RED-NECKED GREBE.
eyes of an adult killed in February were penrly white, nud also referred to the fact that the eyes of the young
birds which had conic under his notice were invariably a pale straw-colour. He adds that daring the past
twenty years over thirty examples of this species have passed through his hands, and, afler having made
inquiries concerning other specimens, he believes it improbable that a bird has ever been oblained in Great
Britain with either red or brown eyes. In conclusion, I can only state that Mr. Gunn's experiences concerning
the irides of the Red-necked Grebes, both adults and immature, agree in every point with my own, and thero
is no denving the fact that the specimens wo examined have in all eases been Fresh killed.
S C L A V O N I A N GREBE.
PODICEPS CORNVTVS,
Wwm collecting- in the Highlands iu the latter (aid of May 1 siiS, I received word from a keeper (bat a Grebe
with which he was unacquainted had taken Up its quarters at. a small loch near I he west const of lloss-shire.
His description first led me to believe it was a Red-necked Grebe ; and a drawing of that species baring been
shown to him, bo stated that it appeared to be that bird. After a second and nearer inspection through the
glass obtained on his next visit to the loch, the remarks made by the mau convinced mc that IR a Grebe at all
and not a Diving-Duck, it must be the Selavonian. Ibing folly engaged w ilh . it her matters, 1 had not sufficient
time at my disposal to look thoroughly after this interesting stranger, and consequently the keeper was
despatched to watch the spot closely and ascertain if a pair giving indications of remaining to nest in the
district, could he detected. One bird only was observed, though lliis was almost constantly in view while tie
remained on the look-out ; when at length I obtained a chance lo visit this lonely and wind-swept lock, some
laddies tending the farmers' cattle had brought down their beasts to the waterside, and the object ot our
search (of which only a momentary glimpse had INYO caught) was driven to seek the shelter of the stunted
bushes and beds of rushes thai fringed the shore. Another attempt was made later 111 the day; and on this
occasion blinding squalb, with drifting sleet and rain, followed one another in rapid succession; and in the
end WO were forced to leave the spot without having satisfactorily identified the bird. Rough weather had
evidently set in ; and the westerly swells rollim; across the open water towards the only part, of the loch where
sufficient shelter for a nest could he obtained, rendered it utterly useless to prepare the india-rubber boat, to
explore the cover, as, owing to the foam lashed up by the squalls, it would he impossible to catch sight of the
bird. Emm information received to-day (March 10, lHSo) from the keeper previously referred to, 1 learn that
the Grebes, which still remain unidentified, annually frequent the same piece of water '.Loch-na-Kcudcmch),
and have regularly reared their young. Last summer two pairs were seen for the first time on ihc loch, and
later on a couple of broods appeared. I also heard from the owner of the ground that another pair of Grebes,
evidently of the same species, frequent a small loch two miles further lo the north, and breed there every
year. As 1 have received word that if a specimen can he obtained it shall be forwarded to me for identification,
there in hope lhat, if I am not able to revisit the locality, the uncertainty as to the species may still he
solved. These arc ihc only instances that have come to my knowledge where the Slavonian Grebe might
reasonably be imagined lo bale bred in this country. In dune 1*70 I noticed another in full plumage on one
of the Norfolk broads; but on making inquiries it was ascertained that during the previous winter the TMISI
had knocked down a bird of this specie*, and diseoi eriug shortly after thai his prize had recovered from the
rlbx-tH of the shot, it was pinioned and then turned out on the broad.
This 8|iecies has come under my observation during one SEASON Or another iu almost every county I have
visited Along the Sussex coast specimens are to be seen both in spring and w inter, and the same remarks also
apply to Norfolk and Sufl'ulk. In the cast of Hoss-shire and also in Sutherland, on both the fresh- and SALT