i8o Allen's naturalist's library. 



sides of the body brown, the feathers margined with ashy-grey 

 like the back. 



Young-. — Similar to the winter plumage of the adult, but 

 freckled with brown fringes to the feathers of the sides of the 

 face, throat, and fore-neck. Immature birds can be easily 

 distinguished by the more rounded shape to the feathers of 

 the back. 



Nestling-.— Entire upper surface sooty-brown, a little lighter 

 on the throat and chest ; the under surface of the body white, 

 with the sides brown like the back. 



Range in Great Britain. — The Great Northern Diver is prin- 

 cipally known as a winter visitor to the British Islands, when it 

 occurs on most of the coasts, and occasionally on inland 

 waters. It apparently breeds in the Shetlands, as the late Dr. 

 Saxby noticed the species on a loch in Yell in June, and 

 obtained eggs from there, which could only have been those 

 of C. glaciaiis.' Mr. Howard Saunders saw an adult bird on 

 the 19th of July, 1879, ^y^^Z P^^^ ^^^ t>oat in Sulemvoe, and 

 he adds : — "A few hours before leaving Lerwick I was assured 

 on good authority that a very young specimen had just been 

 brought in alive by the Earl of Zetland^ a small steamer which 

 then served the northern islands." 



Range outside the British Islands. — The present species breeds 

 in Iceland and in Southern Greenland, and across the whole 

 of North America in the fur countries, as far south as the State 

 of Maine. In Northern Russia and Siberia its place is taken 

 apparently by C. adamsi Like other Divers it comes south 

 in winter, and at that time of year it is sometimes found on 

 inland waters. 



Habits. — The late Dr. Saxby, in his " Birds of Shetland," 

 gives the following account of the species : — " Owing to the 

 extreme watchfulness of this bird, and to its wonderful powers 

 of diving, specimens are by no means easily obtained by a 

 person who has not had considerable experience of its habits. 

 The most favourable chance is when it is feeding under rocks 

 which are sufficiently irregular to afford concealment to the 

 shooter, who, it may be remarked, should in calm weather 

 proceed very cautiously, or the bird will perceive him from an 



