NOTES AND QUERIES. 238 
three of which I saw in the flesh on Feb. 3rd. It would be of interest 
to know if this immigration was observed in any other inland counties. 
—J. STEELE Exuiort (Dowles Manor, Shropshire). 
The Ringed or Bridled Variety of the Common Guillemot.— While 
watching the breeding Guillemots on our (Dorset) coast a few days ago 
I discovered amongst a small colony of ten one of the ringed or bridled 
variety onitsegg. It was quite by accident I found it, but my interest 
was aroused when I noticed the conspicuous white rings round the 
eyes and the white streak running backwards from the eye. I recently 
read an article by Mr. Geo. A. Emery, of Neweastle-on-Tyne, about 
his discovery of the breeding of this species (?) in Shetland, and, 
judging from the title, “A New British Breeding Bird,” I should 
imagine it has not been discovered breeding elsewhere in the British 
Islands. Now, I think it will be agreed that no error in identification 
could have occurred, because viewing the bird from about twenty-five 
yards with a powerful pair of Ross’s prism binoculars would be as 
good as having the bird in one’s hand. A man descended with the 
aid of ropes and brought me up the egg, upon which the bird 
remained until he was within a very few feet of it. The egg is of a 
greenish white ground, with spots and splashes (chiefly at the large 
end) of brown, with greyish underlying marks. The shell feels par- 
ticularly rough to the touch, and there appear to be a number of 
raised spots scattered over the surface. This bird does not appear 
to be generally accepted as worthy of specific rank, and I shall be 
pleased to hear anything respecting its breeding. However, if the 
white rings and marks serve to distinguish it, as I imagine they 
must, there can be no doubt that I have discovered it breeding here, 
and that the egg in my possession belongs to that bird. I hope to 
visit the spot again in a week or so, and to forward any furthe? 
information that may be of interest.—W. J. AsHrorpD (Market Place, 
Blandford, Dorset). 
Slavonian Grebe in Bedfordshire.—A Slavonian Grebe (Podzcipes 
auritus) was reported to me by Mr. H. Hawkins as having been picked 
up alive but slightly injured on Feb. 6th, at Newnham, by one of the 
men on the Sewerage Farm. After being purchased by my informant 
it was released, but what was evidently the same bird was shot on the 
River Ouse at Cardington (the adjoining parish) a few days later. 
Upwards of a dozen previous occurrences of this species in this 
county are on record. — J. Stemte HExuiorr (The Manor House, 
Dowles, Salop). 
Zool. 4th ser. vol. XVI., June, 1912. T 
