502 Ornithological Notes, by Robert Gray. 



January, and another at Portobello in the last week of February 

 of the present year. Both appeared to be birds of the first year. 



Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps rubricollis). — A beautifully 

 marked specimen of this Grebe was shot at Coldingham, on the 

 14th February, 1879. The grey cheeks, dark occipital tufts and 

 rich brown of the neck are all clearly defined in this specimen. 



Sclavonian Grebe {Podiceps cornutus). — A specimen of this 

 Grebe, which appears to be the least' common species of the 

 genus in Scotland, was found dead upon the shore near Dirleton, 

 early in March. 



Black-throated Diver (Colymbus arcticus). — Numerous speci- 

 mens of the Black-throated Diver have been procured during the 

 present winter, from the Firth of Forth, and also from one or two 

 inland Lochs. As the season progresses the birds shew indications 

 of a change to summer plumage — those obtained in March being 

 very different from the specimens taken two months previously. 



Little Auk (Mergulus Alle). — Along the shore from Colding- 

 ham to Queensf erry, the Little Auk has been more than usually 

 numerous since October last. Many birds appeared to have gone 

 up the Firth a considerable distance, and one at least was cap- 

 tured in Kinrosshire. The same may be said of its visit to the 

 Tay estuary, where a number of Little Auks were seen nearly as 

 far as Perth. Several specimens were caught in the streets of 

 Dundee. 



Manx Shearwater (Pitffinus Anglorum). — Within the past 

 three years, I have observed that this bird comes to the Firth of 

 Forth in considerable numbers. They appear to remain some- 

 time in the Firth, from four to six weeks, and are, no doubt, on 

 their way southwards, when arrested by the shelter and suitable 

 feeding grounds which the estuary affords. On 17th August, 

 1878, two specimens (male and female) were shot off North Ber- 

 wick, and on 28th of the same month, I examined other three 

 (two males and 1 female) which were obtained from the same 

 place. I had previously seen large flocks of Shearwaters be- 

 tween Aberlady Bay and the Bass Rock. 



Greater Shearwater (Puffinus major). — Although I had 

 several times observed one or two Greater Shearwaters in a flock 

 of the common species, near the Bass Rock, I have only had an 

 opportunity of examining one specimen, namely a young male, 

 that was shot off North Berwick, on 28th August, 1878. 



