648 



numerous in Denmark now than it used formerly to be ; and last year (1878) he met with it in 

 almost every small lake within five or six English miles of Copenhagen. The Horned Grebe 

 visits Holland pretty regularly during the two seasons of passage, but never breeds there ; it is 

 said, however, to be only an accidental visitant to the marshes of Flanders and the Scheldt ; and 

 Hollandre cites two occurrences on the Moselle. In France it is also very rare, especially in 

 the southern provinces; and throughout the Mediterranean subregion the Horned Grebe is an 

 uncommon straggler. Colonel Irby states that he saw one which was obtained in the Straits of 

 Gibraltar in October 1867 ; and he adds that he believes it may often be met with there in 

 winter. 



In Savoy the Horned Grebe is of accidental occurrence in the cold season ; and in Italy it 

 has but rarely been obtained — only in the northern provinces in winter. It is said to have been 

 taken on Lake Lentini, in Sicily ; but it appears doubtful whether the bird was really this 

 species or Podiceps nigricollis. Mr. C. A. Wright informs me that it has never occurred in 

 Malta, and that Podiceps nigricollis only has been obtained there. In Southern Germany this 

 Grebe appears to be rarer than the Eared Grebe. Dr. Fritsch says (J. f. O. 1872, p. 378) that, 

 "according to Haring, one is said to have been taken near Carlsbad as early as 1838. About 

 ten years ago Baron Neuberg obtained an old pair near Melnik. At the end of March 1869 

 Mr. Hofmann killed several specimens at the same time with Podiceps nigricollis. Mr. Lokaj 

 received a male from Koniggratz ; and another is in the collection at the Gymnasium of that 

 place. In several collections I have found young examples marked as Podiceps nigricollis. The 

 pair killed near Melnik agreed in colouring more with the northern species described as Podiceps 

 arcticus." Messrs. Danford and Harvie-Brown found it common in the Mezoseg, Transylvania, 

 but add that it is said to be rare in other parts of the country. It appears, however, to be, as a 

 rule, only a straggler to the countries skirting the Lower Danube and to Turkey; and Dr. Kriiper 

 does not include it as occurring in Greece. 



In Southern Russia it is said to be of accidental occurrence, and much rarer than the Eared 

 Grebe ; and I do not find it recorded from Asia Minor, Palestine, or North-east Africa. Loche 

 .says that it is common and breeds in Algeria ; but he must doubtless mean the Eared Grebe, and 

 not the present species, as it appears doubtful if the true Podiceps auritus has ever been obtained 

 in Africa. 



In Asia the Horned Grebe is found right across the continent to Japan, but, as in Europe^ 

 it does not range very far south. Major St. John found it numerous on the Kazrun lake, in 

 Persia, in winter; and Severtzoff records it as being common in Turkestan on passage, adding 

 that it is said to breed on Lake Son-kul ; but it does not range as far south as India. It is found 

 in Siberia ; for Von Middendorff obtained a female at Udskoj Ostrog, on the 21st May ; Mr. 

 Maack shot one on the 3rd June on a small lake near the confluence of the Schilka and the 

 Argun; and Dr. Eadde procured an old male near Tunka on the 13th (25th) May 1859. 

 Mr. Swinhoe obtained one at Amoy, in China ; and, according to Mr. Whitely, one was shot in 

 Hakodadi harbour, Japan, in January 1865. 



In North America the Horned Grebe is tolerably abundant, breeding in British North 

 America and in the northern portions of the United States. I have met with it in New 

 Brunswick; and Mr. Merrian says that it is a common winter resident in Connecticut, arriving 



