2968 THE Zootocist—Marcu, 1872. 
pitch, and they appear thoroughly to enjoy the confusion. When watching 
them on one of these occasions, I had to take shelter under a rock from a 
dreadful blast, accompanied by very heavy snow, which in a moment blotted 
out the whole Jandscape; everything was enveloped in a shroud of mist and 
driving sleet, but from the midst of the intense gloom there arose the 
triumphant song of these wild creatures rising above the uproar of the 
elements; and when the mist lifted, I beheld the whole flock careering 
about the bay as if mad with delight.” 
The above graphic description was written from Iona, a residence 
which during a winter storm must be wild indeed. 
Scotland, with its numerous lochs, affords attractions to grebes. 
We learn from Mr. Gray that, arranged in their order of rarity, the 
species known to the British list would stand as follows :— 
Eared Grebe, 
Great Crested Grebe, 
Rednecked Grebe, 
Sclavonian Grebe, 
Little Grebe, 
the species heading the column being most seldom seen. Writing 
of the Sclavonian grebe Mr. Gray says that— 
“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 loch, shifting in circles and chasing each other, accompanying all 
their gambols with their shrill intercourse about their future movements.” 
This species has not yet been detected nesting in Scotland. The 
redthroated diver is the commonest of all the divers in Western — 
Scotland, and breeds on most of the lochs. 
“On the Hebridean lakes the redthroated diver is extremely suspicious 
and vigilant, never allowing a very near approach unless the eggs have been 
for some time sat upon, when the female, and even the male, who is her 
constant attendant, remains at hand, swimming anxiously within gun-shot, 
and betraying the utmost concern for the safety of their treasure. Should 
the eggs be taken, the poor creatures seem to feel the deprivation with 
