Using a high‐resolution electron‐impact energy‐loss spectrometer we have measured the energy‐loss spectra of electrons scattered near the forward direction from HgCl2and HgBr2, for incident energies of 200 eV and energy‐loss between 4 and 14 eV. Under these conditions the energy‐loss spectra correspond closely to optical‐absorption spectra. In addition to the well known1&Pgr;uand1∑+uabsorption bands, we observe many new energy‐loss processes beginning at 7.9 eV in HgBr2and 8.60 eV in HgCl2. The relative cross sections and energies of these processes are in excellent agreement with those inferred as being necessary to account for discharge and fluorescence measurements ine‐beam sustained mercuric bromide lasers.