TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 97 



margin of lakes, and on the banks of small rivu- 

 lets, frequently under large stones ; the female 

 lays from eight to ten eggs rather larger than 

 those of a duck. In the summer season the male 

 loses his beautiful plumage, and approaches in 

 colour to that of the female. This bird is seldom 

 seen far from land, but frequents the inlets and in- 

 land lakes. 



Podiceps cornutus, Lath. — Sclavonian or 

 Horned Grebe. — This beautiful species is ex- 

 tremely rare in both Orkney and Shetland. I 

 cannot say whether it is a constant resident in 

 these countries or only migratory. During my 

 stay in the former place I saw seven or eight* 

 three of which I shot ; this was in the month of 

 April, and they were then in bad plumage. I have 

 only seen one in Shetland, which I fortunately 

 killed : it was on my last visit, about the latter end 

 of May, and was in the most perfect plumage ; in- 

 deed I never saw so fine a specimen. This Grebe 

 differs from any other in having the irides of two 

 colours. It is a very shy bird and a most expert 

 diver, frequenting the sea, but always remaining 

 close to the, rocks, where the seaweed which is 

 attached to the land floats on the surface of the 

 water. When once alarmed it dives to a great 



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