248 



GEEBES AND DIVERS. 



The Grebes are a class of fowl one frequently meets with 

 both in the sheltered waters of the harbours and on the 

 open sea. Four species are met with on this coast, of which 

 the most abundant is the Sclavonian Grebe, the rarest the 

 Eared kind. The only Eared Grebe we have ever obtained 

 was shot by my brother J., on February 6, 1879, while run- 

 ning for shelter into Holy Island harbour. The above bird 

 weighed lljoz., a number of Sclavouians ranging from 11^ 

 to 13 oz. These two species closely resemble each other in 

 size and general appearance (in winter), but are distinguish- 

 able by the up-turned bill of the Eared kind, and by its 

 white neck, that of the Sclavonian being dusky. 



The Great Crested Grebe is not infrequently seen : an 

 adult female, shot February 1881, w-eighed 31 oz., and its 

 gullet contained several small fish. The Eed-necked Grebe 

 also occurs, but less frequently than the last-named. The 

 Little Grebe never appears on salt water, though they fre- 

 quent the backwaters of Tweed and other Border rivers 

 during winter. 



Divers. — Of the three species the Eed-throat is so well- 

 known a coast bird as to require no remark further than that 

 I obtained a specially fine example in full summer plumage, 

 with red throat, on March 2G, 1881. This bird I gave to 

 Mr. Hancock. 



The lilack-throated Diver is by far the most scarce. I 

 have only met with it on two or three occasions, and shot 

 one at sea, January 22, 1880. It w-as a male, weight 5 lbs., 

 length 27 inches, expanse 42^ inches. In the winter plum- 

 age, with its marbled bl:o and grey back, this species appears 



