BIRDS. 263 



Podiceps griseigena (Bodd.). Red-necked Grebe, 



Messrs. Baikie and Heddle say that this species is not uncommon 

 in winter. 



Mr. Irvine-Fortescue mentions that he has seen another 

 grebe, of what species he could not be certain, frequently 

 during winter in the Loch of Harray. He notes both the 

 Little and the Sclavonian Grebes. 



Podiceps auritus (L.). Sclavonian Grebe, 



Dunn considered this a rare bird in Orkney. Messrs. Baikie and 

 Heddle say it was formerly common about the Loch of Aiker- 

 ness ; before it was drained, no doubt. 



Mr. J. G. Millais tells us that at a certain time in the spring 

 the Sclavonian Grebe may be considered almost a common bird ; 

 he has shot many, several of them in most perfect plumage, but 

 he adds that they are very shy. 



Mr. Irvine-Fortescue constantly observes this species in 

 autumn and winter in Swanbister Bay, and Mr. Monteith- 

 Ogilvie saw and shot some in Kirkwall Bay in December 1889. 



Writing to us at a later date, Mr. Millais says : 



"I had heard that many years ago the Sclavonian Grebe 

 used to stay commonly till May in the bays and lochs of 

 Orkney, but now it is not more than one year in ten that they 

 do so. Two or three were seen in April 1886 in the Bay of 

 Ireland, off the Skerries of Clestron, and, as I also heard that 

 the Long-tailed Ducks were likely to stay that year also, I set off 

 to try and obtain the former species in its full summer plumage. 

 The adverse winds from the north had evidently stopped their 

 northward migration, and I succeeded in getting some specimens 

 in full breeding dress before they left. They were extremely 

 shy, and I seldom got nearer than eighty yards, so had to shoot 

 them with my 8-bore. I have also shot a Sclavonian Grebe in 

 winter in Hoy Sound. The year when they stayed so late 

 (1886) a pair were noticed till the end of June on Loch Stenness, 

 and then disappeared. I noticed a peculiar habit of this bird, 

 which shows how easily frightened it is. Whilst a boat is 



