( 107 ) 

 SPRING-NOTES ON THE BORDERS (1911-12). 



BY 



ABEL CHAPMAN. 



In view of the appearance within a twelvemonth of two 

 new faunal works dealing with the Border regions — 

 both written by far more competent ornithologists* — 

 any further notes might seem superfluous and super- 

 erogatory. The following subsequent experiences may, 

 nevertheless, at least serve to iUustrate the singular 

 rapidity with which certain species are changing or 

 extendmg their local distribution. 



Great Crested Grebe {Colymhus c. cristatus). As 

 late as April, 1911, I was unable to give Mr. A. H. 

 Evans (then issuing his Fauna of Tivee.d) a single instance 



GREAT CRESTED GREBE. 



First ever seen in Northumberland in summer-dress, Colt Crag, April 15, 1911. 



(Note. — No visible tail and no white showing along water-line.) 



(Drawn by A. Chapman.) 



of the occurrence of this species inland ; but within the 

 fourteen succeeding months, I had discovered it breeding 

 in no less than three of the seven Border counties that I 

 regard as falling within my " jurisdiction " ! Two of the 

 three instances (in Northumberland and Roxburghshire 



* (1) A Fauna of the Tweed Area, by A. H. Evans; (2) Birds of 

 Northumberland and the Eastern Borders, by George Bolam. 



