524 Ghernel de Ohemelhdza : 



ON VARIATIONS IN THE COLOURING OF 



GOLYMBUS GBISTÂTU8, G. GBISEIGENA, AND 



G. NIGRIGOLLIS, OBSERVED AT THE LAKE OF 



VELENCZE, IN HUNGARY. 



By Steven Chernel de Chernelhaza. 



One of the most interesting parts of Hungary for ornitholo- 

 gists is, without doubt, the (2-4 klm.) broad lake of Velencze, 

 in the Comitat Eehér, which is the third largest lake of 

 the land. 



Since the year 1884 I have devoted weeks, and even months, 

 to the investigation of the bird-life of this lake, and have 

 taken part in all the shootings. These were arranged in such 

 fashion that the little fishing boats, about 50 or 60 in number, 

 were from 100 to 150 paces from each other, covering the whole 

 south breadth of the lake. In every second boat the hunter 

 takes his place with the fisherman, who pushes the boat along 

 with a long pole ; in the boat between is a fisherman, who 

 picks up the birds. The master of the whole hunt has his 

 seat in a motor-boat, and at his signal the whole row of 

 boats pushes on, in this wise forcing the game to the north 

 shore of the lake. The greater part gathers there, while 

 the others fly back over the boats, and fall a prey to the 

 hunters. The shooting begins at ten o'clock in the morning, 

 and the boats reach the north shore of the lake about three 

 in the afternoon. Then the greater part of birds gathered 

 there through the whole day fly up, being more and more 

 pressed towards the shore, and this finish is about the most 

 interesting moment of the whole hunt. The lake is not an 

 entirely open water, but we find broad open spaces alternating 

 with those covered with reed, rushes, or sea-weed. The 

 Coot (Fulica atra) and the Brown-headed Gull (Lams 

 ridibundus), are found there in great quantities at the time 

 of migration, as well as in the breeding season, so that this 

 lake is decidedly unique in our country. Species especially 

 characteristic of the lake-fauna are : Locustella luscinioides, 

 Lusciniola melanopogon, Panums biarmicus, Fuligula nyroca, 

 Fuligula ferina, Ghaulelasmus streperus, and lately Erismatura 



