RED-THROATED DIVER. 189 



season. The speckled upper surface of the body and the 

 dusky streaks on the axillaries distinguish C. septeiitrioiialis in 

 winter. 



Range in Great Britain. — This species breeds in Scotland from 

 Argyleshire northwards, as well as in the Hebrides and the 

 Orkney and Shetland Isles. " In Ireland," says Mr. Ussher, 

 " one or two pairs have been discovered to breed on mountain 

 lakes in Donegal, but as their eggs are regularly taken for 

 collectors, the birds, if not so already, will soon be driven 

 away. A pair may have bred in Sligo (Zool. 1890, p. 352)." 

 In winter the Red-throated Diver is found on all the coasts of 

 Great Britain, and not only ascends estuaries, but is sometimes 

 observed far inland. 



Range outside the British Islands. — The present species has a 

 circumpolar distribution during the breeding season, and has 

 been found as far north as 82° N. lat. In winter it visits the 

 Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas, and in Eastern Asia 

 is known to occur in Japan, China, and Formosa. In America 

 it migrates in winter across nearly the whole of the United 

 States. 



Habits. — I am indebted to my friend, Mr. W. R. Ogilvie 

 Grant, for the following interesting note on the species : — 

 " In the north of Scotland I have, on many occasions, had 

 opportunities of watching the breeding habits of the Red- 

 throated Diver, and in May of 1896 I spent several whole days in 

 observing the behaviour of a pair who had a nest with two 

 partially incubated eggs on the edge of a small loch. This 

 species almost invariably selects the small desolate lochs, 

 often mere pools, situated in the more lonely and deserted 

 parts, for purposes of nidification. In the north of Suther- 

 land, where the country is a mass of lochs of every size and 

 shape, there is much ground eminently suited to the habits 

 of this Diver, but for some reason only a few scattered pairs 

 avail themselves of this fine tract of country. The two eggs 

 are always placed close to the water's edge, either on the 

 margin of the loch, or on some tiny islet where the bank rises 

 at a very gentle slope above the surface of the water. These 

 birds are so curiously constructed — the legs being placed so 

 far back on the long boat-shaped body — that, though admirably 



