Page:VCH Warwickshire 1.djvu/244

 A HISTORY OF WARWICKSHIRE 191. Arctic Skua. Stercorarius crepidatus (Gmelin) A bird of this species was taken near Bir- mingham in October, 1897, as I learn from Mr. T. Ground. [Long-tailed or Buffon's Skua. Stercorarius parasiticus (Linn.) An immature bird of this species was shot on the Lichfield racecourse in October, 1874, and recorded by Mr. Chase.] 192. Razorbill. A lea torda, Linn. Specimens of this bird have at various times been brought to Warwick and Stratford for preservation, where they have been seen by the present writer. 193. Guillemot. Uria trolle (Linn.) When it appears it is a waif and stray driven inland by heavy gales. The writer has seen one which was shot from the roof of a thatched cottage in the south-eastern side of the county. 194. Little Auk. Mergulm alle (Linn.) This also has several times been found in the county as a storm-driven bird, either in an exhausted state or dead. All examined by the writer have been in winter plumage excepting one, which was taken up dead at Great Alne near Alcester in the spring a good many years ago, which was in full summer dress. 195. Puffin. Fratercula arct'ica (Linn.) Found only after strong gales from the Bristol Channel, and generally in the autumn. All the examples examined have been young birds. 196. Great Northern Diver. Colymbus g/acia/is y Linn. A rare visitor to the streams of the county, two only having come to the knowledge of the writer during a period of half a century. One of them was shot in the Avon at Alves- ton near Stratford and is now in the Warwick Museum. Mr. Chase records the occurrence of one at Tipton on 8 January, 1877. 197. Red-throated Diver. Colymbus septen- triona/is, Linn. Though uncommon this is not a very rare bird in the valley of the Avon, but nearly all the examples seen have been immature and appeared in the autumn or winter. One only in adult plumage is on record. It was taken up in a state of great exhaustion in Loxley Lane near Stratford-on-Avon in November, 1858. 198. Great Crested Grebe. Podicipes cristatus (Linn.) An uncommon almost rare bird in the county, occurring occasionally in the winter on the Avon. A pair which had commenced building a nest at Napton in May, 1881, were both ruthlessly shot. It has several times been known to breed at Sutton Coldfield. 1 99. Red-necked Grebe. Podicipes griseigtna (Boddaert) There are several records of the appearance of this species on the Avon, in all instances in the winter. 200. Slavonian Grebe. Podicipes auritus (Linn.) An autumn and winter visitor to the county, but has on one occasion appeared in summer. A pair in full breeding plumage were shot to- gether on some ornamental water at Wootton Hall near Henley in Arden, and brought to John Spicer of Warwick some years since, when they were examined by the writer. Doubtless if spared they would have bred there. It has also been met with in several other localities in the county. 201. Eared Grebe. Podicipes nigricollis (Brehm) Of rare occurrence in the county, though it has been shot on the Avon in a few instances in winter. One in full summer plumage was however shot on the ornamental water at Wootton Hall near Henley in Arden a few years since, which having been taken to John Spicer of Warwick for preservation came under the observation of the present writer. 202. Little Grebe or Dabchick. Podicipes fluviatilis (Tunstall) Common though not abundant in winter on all streams and ponds, and but little known in summer ; there is no record of its having bred in the county. A very immature specimen was however shot on the Arrow near Alcester some years ago. 203. Storm-Petrel. Procellaria pelagica, Linn. A waif and stray of rare occurrence, but yet when seen has always been on the wing and not in an exhausted state. One was shot while flying about at Wormleighton on 15 August, 1885, and taken to Mr. Peter Spicer of Leamington for preservation. Another was also shot near Alcester in the winter of 1882-3 an( i sent to Mr. Hunt of that town to be preserved. According to Mr. Chase it has occurred several times in the Birmingham district. 2O6