SCLAVONIAN GREBE. 407 



been obtained as far inland as the neighbourhood of Lanark. 

 In Haddingtonshire, on the other hand, it is almost wholly 

 confined during the winter time to the estuary of the Tyne, 

 leaving it, however, in calm weather, and travelling along the 

 coast, coming within shooting distance of the rocks to feed. Those 

 I have examined at this season had the ruff and occipital tufts 

 well defined. 



The Eed-necked Grebe is now and again obtained in the creeks 

 of the inner group of islands, but no specimen has ever yet reached 

 me from the Outer Hebrides. It appears to be not uncommon in 

 Orkney, as one might indeed expect, seeing that the species has 

 been found breeding in some numbers in countries lying to the 

 north-east of Scotland. 



THE SCLAVONIAN GREBE. 

 PODICEPS CORNUTUS. 



THE suggestive names of "Water Witch" and "Hell Diver" 

 applied to this bird in various parts of America, would lead us to 

 suppose that collectors have some difficulty in securing specimens 

 for their cabinets. Ordinarily, it must be confessed, these names 

 are not misapplied, and may with reason be extended to the whole 

 family of grebes, as it would be difficult to name a more expert 

 class of birds at practising self-concealment. No sooner do they 

 perceive that they are observed and watched, than they are 

 instantly out of sight, sometimes by a rat-like turn of their bodies 

 in the act of diving, but more frequently by a mysterious and 

 almost imperceptible submergence, without occasioning the slightest 

 ripple, or again breaking the smooth surface on which they had 

 previously floated. 



The habits of this lively species may be best studied in spring, 

 just about the time when it collects in pairs before migrating. In 

 many of our western sea-lochs it is very conspicuous at this season; 

 and on calm evenings, when the water is motionless and burnished 

 by the slanting sunlight, delighting the eye with a series of 

 coloured cloud pictures as the daylight recedes, the ear at once 

 catches the comical call-notes of these interesting birds holding 

 their Punch and Judy conferences. Far off, at almost a mile's 

 distance, the little specks may be distinctly traced on the unruffled 



