942 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, VoL XXVIII. 
307. Black-necked Grebe. Podiceps nigricollis. 
Podiceps nigricoUis nigricollis, C. L. Brehin. (Viig. Deutschl., 1831, j). 
963 — E. Germany). 
Apparently resident in small numbers ; Pitman records that he found this 
species breeding in the marshes west of Museyib near the Barrage in May and 
June and that it was still present in July. 
He found two nests on June 2nd each containing a single egg ; these measure 
1 • 83 X 1 ■ 21 and 1 ■ 74 x 1 • 23 inches. On L. Akkarkuf he often saw 6 or 8 adults 
together in August and obtained specimens. 
In winter this species spreads out and may be found in the rivers ; Xeuman 
records it from Ras-el-Ain. 
Fivm skins examined : Amara, 25-12-17 (P. A. B.) ; Kut, 18-3-18 (Hob- 
kirk): Sheik Saad, 13-12-16 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); 9, Sheik Saad, 22-12-17 
(Robinson). 
308. Little Greb2. Podiceps fluviatilis. 
Podiceps fluviatilis capensis, Salvad. (Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova., (2) 1, 
p. 2.52, 1884 — Shoa). 
The Little Grebe is fairly common and resident. Pitman found it breeding 
commonly in the marshes west of Muse3’ib in June and during the first fortnight 
of that month found manj' nests, quite a number being in quite a small area. 
The nests contained 4 to 6 and even 7 eggs in various stages of incubation. These 
measured P305 — P51 X ‘915 — P09 inches (or 3.3 — 38’5x23 — 27 '5 mm.) 
they varied much in size and shape. 
Tomlinson recorded it breeding at Basra and found six nests in a small 
area on June 9th. In winter it spreads out and maj' be found on the rivers and 
inundations where it is not to be found in the breeding season. 
Three skins examined : 9 > Amara, 15-2-18 (P. A. B.); L. Akkarkuf, 19-7-17 
(two) (C. R. P.). 
These are clearlj^ capensis and not the European bird ; in the latter the 
white of the flight feathers is alwaj^s confined to the inner webs of the 
secondaries ; in capensis the amount of white is more extensive on the secondaries 
and extends to the outer web also ; moreover the white extends to all except 
the first three or four primaries, alwaj'S on the inner, often on to both webs. 
309. Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus. 
Rallus aquaticus Icorejewi, Zar. sOrn. Monats., 1905, p. 209 — N. E. 
Tm’kestan). 
The Water Rail is a winter visitor, probably fairlj'^ common, but, like all Rails, 
being unobtrusive few came under observation. It appears to be generally 
distributed in suitable localities and the records range from September 10th to 
February 9th. 
One was caught in a “ dug out ” at Samarra. 
Four skins examined: — 9. Basra, 9-2-19 (Armstrong); Samarra, 24-12-17 
(C. R. P.); Sheik Saad, 10-9-17 (P. Z. C. and R. E. C.); one Amara (P. A. B.). 
These I refer to the eastern race with the paler markings on the upper parts. 
310. Spotted Crake. Porzana porzana. 
Porzana porzana, L. (Syst. Nat. Ed. xii, 1766, p. 262 — France). 
This Crake is not very uncommon on both migrations and most come under 
observation by being caught exhausted or being found dead under the telegraph 
wires. We have no evidence that it breeds or winters on Mesopotamia ; there 
are several records between March 18th and May 20th in the spring and August 
27th and October on the autumn passage. 
