180 THE BIRDS OF OXFOEDSHIEE. 



sometimes found in their neighbourhood. On the 7th March, 

 1886, a specimen, in nuptial dress, probably on its way to its 

 breeding haunts, was shot on the Isis at Sandford (A. 

 H. Macpherson) ; another was obtained close to Oxford in 

 March, 1888. 



The Great Crested Grebe also breeds annually upon Worm- 

 leighton Reservoir, about two miles from Clattercote, and 

 only just over the Warwickshire borders. 



A note on the breeding* and habits of this bird will be found 

 in the Midland Naturalist for 1883, p. 375. 



THE RED-NECKED GREBE. ^ ' 



Podkeps griseigena. 



The Red-necked Grebe is an occasional winter visitor of 

 rare occurrence, wandering inland, in England, less frequently 

 than either of the two species next to be mentioned. In No- 

 vember, 1 88 1, an example procured at Oxford was taken to 

 Mr. Darbey (H. A. Macpherson, MS.), and Mr. Prior records 

 one shot on one of the canal feeders near Banbury {Banhury 

 Guardian). It is included in the History of Banhury list as 

 ' an occasional visitant, very rare,^ on the authority of Mr. 

 Abbott. 



THE SCLAVONIAW GREBE. I I ' 



Podkeps auritus. 



The Sclavonian, or Dusky, Grebe is an occasional visitor. 

 The Messrs. Matthews record that several have been killed 

 near Oxford, in winter dress {Zoologist, p. 3633). Mr. A matt 

 has a specimen in this plumage which was shot on the Isis, at 

 Stanton Harcourt, and another was procured on the Cherwell, 

 at Ishp, in March, i< 



