NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 313 



COLYMBID^. 

 The Great Crested Grebe {Fodkeps cnstatus). 

 Very rarely met with in either of the counties. Being resident 

 all the year in Ireland, it is somewhat singular that few, if any, of 

 the young birds hatched in the loughs there find their way to the 

 western shores of Wigtown. 



The Eed-necked Grebe {Podiceps mhricoUis). 



Equally rare with the preceding; very few specimens being 

 obtained. It is occasionally seen in the estuaries, and at some 

 distance up the rivers, but not later than the month of April. 

 One of these birds in the breeding plumage was shot, a few years 

 ago, at Caldwell in Ayrshire, and is now in the collection of 

 Mr Orr, Kilbirnie. 



The Sclavonian Grebe (Podiceps cornutus). 



Uncommon, and generally seen at sea when it does occur. It 

 turns up occasionally on fresh water lakes in spring and autumn, 

 but is entirely absent during the summer months. 



The Little Grebe, or Dabchick {Podiceps minor). 



Even this species, which is so numerous in almost all other parts 

 of Scotland, is not common. Mr Gray saw one lately in tlie 

 possession of H. Stewart, Esq. of Tonderghie, near Burrow Head, 

 and was surjirised to learn from that gentleman that it was 

 extremely rare in his neighbourhood. In Ayrshire, however, it is 

 more frequently obtained. 



The Great Northern Diver (Cohjmhus glacialis). 



Very common in both counties. It is, indeed, found in great 

 luimbers off the coast of Wigtownshire in autumn and winter. 

 We have seen it also in summer near Girvan, in pairs, about a 

 mile off shore on warm days during a dead calm, when their 

 hoarse conversation was distinctly heard. When in pursuit of 

 prey, they are at this season occasionally taken in the salmon 

 netsnear the town. Mr Anderson saw two very fine specimens 

 in the last week of May, 18G9. One of these — a brilliant bird in 

 full summer dress — is now in the possession of Mr Murray, 

 banker, Gii'van. In August, old birds still partly clad in this 



