164 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of 
mon here, are in the hands of Mr. Howard Saunders, who 
will doubtless make use of any thing newinthem. L. macu- 
lipennis, I have reason to believe, breeds in the district, in 
company with a few pairs of L. dominicanus; but as yet I 
have been unable to discover a nesting-colony. (L. maculi- 
pennis, iris very dark brown; L. cirrhocephalus, iris yellow.) 
57. Popicrrs mayor, Bodd. 
Not uncommon in the spring, and is found either singly 
or in pairs. (Iris yellow.) 
Breeding-Notes.—P. major breeds about the end of August, 
placing its nest in the thickest rushes of the swamp. The 
nest, built of wet water-weeds, is raised just above the level 
of the water ; and I have twice seen the sitting bird hastily 
draw some weeds over the eggs before leaving them, on my 
approach. The clutch consists of three ; and these are of the 
usual Grebe colour, generally much soiled and stained. They 
average 2,8 x 1qq, the length sometimes presenting a varia- 
tion of 4;, even in eggs of the same nest. 
58. PopicePs ROLLANDI, Quoy & Gaim. 
More abundant than the last, and very generally distri- 
buted. It is to be met with, singly or in pairs, on every 
marsh, lagoon, or pond, and even in a cattle-well when the 
water is nearly flush with the surface of the ground. Both 
it and the preceding species are rather troublesome to shoot, 
diving to the flash of the gun. (Iris claret-colour, with 
black specks.) 
Breeding-Notes.—-P. rollandi nests during the latter half 
of September and beginning of October. The nest is a slight 
construction of water-weeds, floating on the surface of the- 
water, and only kept stationary by the surrounding rushes. 
Like P. major, it covers the eggs before leaving them. Five 
is the largest clutch of eggs I have taken ; they are originally 
of a bluish-white colour, but after some time become covered 
with a brown incrustation of a chalky nature. The average 
measurement is 13° x 14% ; but there is a variation of 14 in 
length and 7% in breadth between my largest and smallest 
specimens. 
