274 
AXATID^.. 
seen them swimming about the middle of the voe at Balta 
Sound for nearly a whole day \\dthout once showing any sign 
of searching for food. I have not had an opportunity of 
examining an adult male in winter ; at that season, however, 
the female has the tip and the base of the bill pink, the rest 
black ; the angle of the mouth, the base-line thence to the eye, 
and the edges of the eyelids, pink, tinged vdth vermilion. Eye 
of two colours, — a narrow ring surrounding the pupil white, the 
outer ring crimson. Tarsi upon their outside, and feet upon 
their underside, black ; inside of tarsi and upper surface of feet, 
white, stained in some parts with indigo blue ; the toes and the 
borders of the membranes vdth a few distinct black stains ; 
claws white, tinged with blue, or entirely black, according to 
the colour of the toe at their base. The fishermen tell me that, 
late in spring, they meet with pairs of these birds far northward 
of Unst ; in fact, in precisely similar circumstances to those 
under which the Long-tailed Duck is seen there, as I have 
already mentioned. There can be no error in this, the hood 
rendering the bird unmistakable. 
THE LITTLE GEEBE. 
Fodicejys minor. 
Every winter a few stragglers occur ; but it is quite probable 
that its singular habits cause it to appear more uncommon 
than it really is. It frequents the lochs and deep burns, but 
is equally fond of paddling and diving among the rocks as the 
tide is falling. So busily does it occupy itself in its explora- 
tions of the rocky pools, that not unfrequently it is left by the 
receding tide, and falls into the hands of the first passers-by. 
In attempting to escape, it pushes itself along upon its breast, 
and tries to assist itseK with its wings, but never flies, although 
its powers of flight are now no longer a matter of speculation. 
If it be true that Grebes and Divers, having the legs placed 
very far behind, are incapable of raising themselves to an erect 
