1897.] F. Finn — Notes on various species of Grebes. 725 



however, hearing the cries of their captured " sister," came down to the 

 rescue without the slightest show of hesitation, and in a shorter time 

 than it takes to tell were engaged in a spirited attack on the Hawk, 

 apparently using both beak and claws in their effort to make her 

 relinquish her hold. 



The result was unexpected, for before I could reach the spot the 

 Shikra had let the Babbler go and had taken refuge in a neighbouring 

 bush, whilst the " seven sisters " not improbably rather elated at the 

 success of their plucky little affray, collected together in a mango tree 

 and poured forth volumes of abuse at the head of their vanquished 

 enemy. 



Note. — Since writing the above I have many times flown a Shikra at C. canorus 

 always with the same result, viz., that so long as I kept out of the way the Babblers 

 would attack the Hawk en masse and give her a real ' bad time.' I never let them 

 actually rescue their ' sister.' as it would have been very demoralizing for the Hawk, 

 but I have not the least doubt but that they would have succeeded in making it so 

 warm for the Hawk that she would have been only too glad to let go and be off. 

 More than once she had begun to utter her cries of alarm, preparatory to letting go, 

 when I arrived on the scene and drove off the Babblers On one occasion I ran 

 up quickly and actually caught a Babbler on the Hawk's back (the Hawk having 

 another Babbler in her claws) holding on so firmly that I had the greatest difficulty 

 in making it leave go ! I think therefore I have fairly proved now that Jerdon's 

 attribution of cowardice to this species (Birds of India, vol. ii, pt. i, p. 62), is not 

 always correct. B. B. 0. 



Notes on various species of Grebes, with especial reference to the power of 

 walking and digestion possessed by these birds. — By F. Finn, B. A., 

 F. Z. S., Deputy Superintendent of the Indian Museum, 



[Received November 25th ; Read December 1st, 1897.] 



The remarkable birds forming the family Podicipedidas of ornitho- 

 logists have long possessed for me especial interest, and I venture here- 

 with to record my observations on several of the species, which I have 

 had the good fortune to study in captivity, and thus to observe under 

 conditions which have, I hope, enabled me to set at rest some doubts 

 concerning certain particulars in their economy. 



I shall follow wherever possible the nomenclature and arrangement 

 of Mr. H. E. Dresser, who in his Birds of Europe, Vol. VIII, has given 

 excellent figures and accounts of most of the species with which I shall 

 here have occasion to deal. 

 J. ii. 92 



