DUCK-LIKE DIVING BIRDS. 229 



from the Red-Breasted Merganser, which is similarly 

 coloured in the parts mentioned. 



GREAT NORTHERN DIVER.— Plate 100. Length, 

 33 inches. Bill long, pointed, black ; head and neck 

 glossy-black ; two collars crossed by lines alternately 

 black and white ; upper parts black, symmetrically 

 spotted with white ; under parts white ; legs and feet 

 greenish -black. Winter migrant. 



Though said possibly to have bred in the Shetlands, 

 the Great Northern Diver is known chiefly as a 

 winter visitor to our coasts, and to the larger and 

 more wildly situated inland waters. Incapable of 

 progressing on land, save in a scuffling way, because 

 of the backward position of the feet, and rising 

 reluctantly and laboriously in flight, it lives on the 

 water, sinking itself deeply when apprehensive of 

 danger, and eflecting its escape by diving, to appear 

 far from the spot where it disappeared. Those who 

 know the commoner Great Crested Grebe will recog- 

 nise in the Divers a similarly long, boat-shaped body, 

 the same habit of swimming with the body sunk low 

 in the water, the same instantaneous and rippleless 

 disappearance in diving, and the same habit of 

 travelling long distances under water in pursuit 

 of fish. When afloat they look like large Ducks, 

 but the greater length of neck and body, that of 

 the latter exaggerated through its being set so 

 deeply in the water, gives them a more elegant 

 appearance. If forced to take wing, they beat 

 along the surface of the water for a great way 



