2-o THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



with a vigour and intensity unknown in the fall of the 

 year. 



It is a well-known fact that some duck separate into pairs 

 very early, while others of the same species do not do so till 

 later. For instance, one sees Eider, Merganser, etc., going 

 about in pairs as early as January, while, on the other hand, 

 flocks of these species may be observed in April, apparently 

 still unpaired, and doing their courting antics with intense 

 vigour. Possibly the autumn displays are performed by the 

 birds which draw off into pairs thus early. 



It is easy to find a cause for the spring displays ; they are 

 directly attributable to the awakening of sexual activity 

 which takes place at that season. In the case of these 

 autumn antics, however, explanation is more difficult, possibly 

 a feeling of vigour and well-being following on completion of 

 the moult may be the cause, or excitation may be aroused by 

 rejoining the females after absence from them during the 

 period of moult. On the other hand, the Great -Crested 

 Grebes seen by us displaying on Kilconquhar Loch on iSth 

 August 1 916 had not yet begun to moult {Scot Nat., 19 16, 

 p. 264), so it is not always the case that autumn displays take 

 place only after the moult is complete. A special feature in 

 this case was the presence of the young. 



Weather seems to have little if any influence in the 

 matter; we have seen birds displaying on mild days and 

 also during the hardest frosts of winter, it cannot -therefore 

 be said to be a matter of temperature. Nor is it confined 

 entirely to the adult birds ; we have noted above both 

 Cormorants and Shags giving a display while still in immature 

 plumage. It is difficult to draw conclusions, specially where 

 data are limited, and the above are merely tentative sugges- 

 tions drawn entirely from our own experiences. 



Ornithological Nomenclature. We are glad to observe that 

 the authors of the Handlist of British Birds have seen reason to 

 restore the generic names Hirnndo, Colymbas, and Podiceps to the 

 Swallows, the Divers, and the Grebes ; also that the Red Grouse is 

 awarded full specific rank. 



The pity is that these and various other changes were ever 

 made. Eds. 



