224 



Biilis/i Bn;h 



The Black-throated Diver. 



in the Mediterranean and in the United States. It is a hird of powerful flight, 

 and often circles round in the air with a long sweep before settling down on the 

 water of the loch where it has placed its nest. This is always to be found close to 

 the water, and is sometimes built of grass and weeds in the water itself, but generally 

 the two eggs are laid on the bare ground. The eggs are like those of the other 

 Divers, and measure from three-and-a-quartcr to three-and-a-half inches. 



^.jT£ The red patch on the throat in summer plumage distinguishes 



RED -THROATED ''^'^ species, and in winter the upper parts are ashy-brown, with 



DIVER. white spots. It is a small bird, like C. arcticus, and the wing 



[Colyiiibus does not exceed eleven inches in length. Like the latter species 



scptenirwnalis.) jj ,-,g^jg j,^ Scotland, and very locally in the north of Ireland. 



Its breeding range extends throughout the Arctic Regions in 



Europe, Asia and North America, and in winter it ranges to the southward, and 



is not uncommon at that season on the British Coasts. In habits it does not 



differ from other Divers, and breeds on inland lochs, laying two eggs on the bare 



ground not far from water. The eggs are dark olive or chocolate-brown, with black 



spots and faint underlying spots of grey, and are about three inches in length 



or a little less. 



