BIRDS. 
245 
islands of the larger lochs. It is seen at times on the 
Dornoch Firth, but is not very abundant on the west coast. 
Frequented in 1885 the small lochs at the sources of 
the Calda Burn, in Assynt, for the first time that year, and 
probably bred there. It had never been seen there before, 
previous to our stocking these high-lying lochs with trout 
in 1879. 
The Caithness name for this and the preceding species is 
" Rain Goose " ; this is a regular winter visitor, a few pairs 
remaining to breed in the county (0. MSS., 1868). 
Mr. L. Dunbar records specimens from the " flow " 
country, dating in May, and speaks of its breeding in the 
county. 
Family PODICIPITID^. 
376. Podiceps cristatus (i.). Great-crested Grebe. 
This species has been killed by Mr. Jennins on the Dornoch 
Firth. 
Loch Oracle is again mentioned by Mr. Dunbar as 
a locality. 
One of the rarest Caithness visitants (0. MSS.). 
377. Podiceps griseigena (Bodd.). Red-necked Grebe. 
Obs. — No actual record of the occurrence of this species has 
reached us. 
" The red-necked grebe is one of our winter visitants, and 
although far from being plentiful either on the sea-coast or 
in the interior of the county, it yet cannot be described as 
uncommon. I have frequently observed specimens on the 
Wick river, and on the lochs of Sarclet, Hempriggs, etc., in 
this neighbourhood " (0. MSS., 1868). 
