294 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



singular regularity, almost always to a day, according to the 

 custom of the locality. In many places they are exported 

 in immense numbers, packed in barrels, to Roman Catholic 

 countries, for use on maigre days. An unusual number of 

 these birds were, as I heard from Mr. Dennis, washed ashore 

 near Seaford, by a great gale in January 1853. One, in 

 full plumage, was brought to him in good order, and several 

 others were found in various stages of decomposition. The 

 Pufiin feeds on fish and mollusks, and is an excellent diver. 

 Mr. JefFery, writing in the 'Zoologist' (p. 168, s. s.), states 

 that one was shot on an arm of Chichester Harbour on 

 February 7th, 1865 ; an immature specimen. It is rarely 

 met with in our harbours. 



GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 



Colymbus glaciaUs. 



This splendid Diver^ the largest of the genus whicli visits our 

 coast, is often found in considerable numbers^ making its 

 first appearance in April, though adult birds may be met with 

 in the Channel till quite the end of May, and I have seen 

 many there during these months in various stages of 

 plumage. The Great Northern Diver is so powerful a 

 swimmer and so expert in diving that it is exceedingly 

 difficult to get within shot of it, and then, unless it liappen 

 to be struck on the head or neck, which from these parts 

 being the first to disappear is not probable, you cannot 

 make sure of it. When it dives, it rarely appears again 

 within at least a quarter of a mile, and often sinks so low in 

 the water as to be very hard to discover. 



\Mien caught it is very tenacious of life, and indulges in 



