338 COLYMBID.E. 



kindly presented us with a specimen that he had taken 

 from a nest the preceding summer. He informed us, at 

 the same time, that they were becoming very scarce ; and 

 although he had, at different times, found their eggs, he 

 never saw two in one nest, which is always placed close to 

 the water''s edge, and composed merely of a few loose rushes 

 and dried grass that may happen to be near, Avithout any 

 down or feathers whatever." Mr. Robert Dunn finds this 

 species, as Dr. Fleming had previously observed, breeding 

 in Shetland, and in reference to their habits says, " On the 

 banks of the lakes they lay their eggs close to the water"'s 

 edge, so close, indeed, that the bird can touch the water with 

 its bill while sitting on its eggs ; perhaps these birds have 

 the power of removing their eggs from their proximity to the 

 water ; for were it to be swollen only two or three inches in 

 height the eggs would be destroyed. I have taken their 

 eggs several times, and invariably found them not more than 

 two or three inches from the water''s edge. The female lays 

 two eggs, which in general are deposited amongst a few loose 

 stones. The birds are remarkably shy, particularly during 

 the breeding-season, and if any one approaches the lake, in- 

 stantly leave their nests and take to the water. To procure 

 these birds two or three persons should go together, never less 

 than two ; one should secrete himself close to the water, and 

 the other move round to the opposite side, and letting him- 

 self be seen, may, by great caution, drive the birds towards 

 the person in ambush. I have practised this method re- 

 peatedly Avith success. It requires more patience and caution 

 in shooting these birds than any others I know of, excepting 

 the Northern Diver ; for in general they select such a place 

 for the site of incubation, as from its natural situation will 

 admit of their perceiving any one that approaches ; and very 

 often after creeping a great distance on your hands and knees 

 towards a lake, believing yourself unobserved, on arriving 



