^ OnSEUVATIONS ON THE NORTHERN DIVKR. 



when obtained are not mentioned, and as his expression '''when past the third 

 year the plumage is perfected" may without further explanation tend to 

 mislead, I thought a few observations, from a rough note book, might be 

 acceptable to such readers of "The Naturalist" as have not an opportunity 

 of examining for themselves the changes and habits of this beautiful species. 



C. Glacialis is a regular visitant with us, arriving in October, and remaining 

 through the winter until May, and sometimes June, when the adults have 

 reproduced their splendid summer coat; but I regret to say since the intro- 

 duction of percussion guns amongst the young fishermen they are becoming 

 gradually scarcer, and as their reproduction is limited, will eventually become 

 a matter of history. 



On referring to Montagu's "Supplement," he describes a female commencing 

 change in January; and I have met with it equally early, but shall confine 

 myself to notes entered at the time of their occurrence,, which are strictly 

 cox'rect, beginning with the autumnal change from the brilliant summer livery 

 to the very plain garb of winter, when the young birds are, I believe, only 

 distinguishable by the lighter gray edgings of the upper feathers, and perhaps 

 inferiority of size, though it is very probable C. Arcticus may ' be confounded 

 with it, at that period the plumage being described as similar; and doubtless 

 the three species midergo like changes. I have never met with 0. Arcticus 

 to idendify it, but have for many years suspected the smaller Loons to be 

 that species in its winter dress. 



October 14th., 1836. — A female Northern Diver was shot and preserved, 

 which had just commenced change; some white feathers on the cheeks, chin 

 and throat having displaced the dark ones, and a few gray scapulars made 

 their appearance; the rest of the plumage as in summer. It only weighed 

 five pounds and a half, being very starved and thin. 



December 13th. — A specimen was shot which had the head and neck clean 

 moulted of the plain winter garb; the back and scapulars still retained many 

 of the summer feathers. 



December IGth. — Another examined with a good glass still retained some 

 of its summer livery. 



November 27th., 1837. — Two Northern Divers were caught in a Salmon- 

 net, both in perfect winter livery, probably a young pair, as the upper plumage 

 was Avell edged with gray, and one was much larger than the other. 



On paying their ransom, and releasing them from -the grasp of the fisherman, 

 who was uncerenxoniously dragging them along by their necks, they were set 

 down on the beach at a considerable distance from the water, to which they 

 made their way pretty rapidly by springing along on their half-opened wings 

 and legs, somewhat like the elegant hop of a toad, but the larger one was 

 more inclined to fight than fly, and vigorously pursued a hat purposely held 

 to it down the beach. On reaching the water, they immediately dived, and 

 rising at a safe distance from the beach, commenced arranging their ruffled 

 plumage. 



