COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS. 415 
§ 5004. Zwo.—Loysninga Fyall, Strémée, Ferde, 13 July, 1849. 
‘J. W. saw bird..’ 
We saw nests of this bird at Ini-amirum, near Vestmanshavn, in 
one of which were two eggs newly laid, placed at one end of the nest. 
The bird was in the water close to this nest, and within very easy 
shot. Instead of diving in so small a pool, it took flight; but I saw 
it as clearly as if it had been in my hands. These nests had mostly 
been previously robbed. and this is probably a second laying. The 
- nest was raised to some height, made of moss and weeds. I saw two 
birds in a pond in Sandée, for which I lay in wait, but missed at a 
long shot with cartridge. 
[The Ege-book contains a rude outline of the nest, nearly oval, with the two 
egos at one end of it parallel to one another, and to the minor axis of the 
ellipse. It seems not worth reproducing. | 
I saw the Red-throated Diver between Scourie and Badcol, and I 
made one or two shots with ball till they rose in Ferde. Mr. Henry 
Milner gave me a Sutherlandshire egg [$ 5002] and Mr. Dunbar sent 
me one as a present with some other eggs. I saw many in Shetland 
[and heard them] making their curious noise as they fly high over- 
head. I have so seen them in Sutherlandshire and Ferde. I heard 
one (probably a Great Northern) in Orkney, rushing like a falling 
star many hundreds of yards overhead: I was standing in the yard 
of the Bishop’s palace, and the noise startled me. They are 
abundant in the winter and spring (and perhaps autumn) in the Firth 
of Forth. They fish near the shore and may be shot by lying in 
wait for them. 
[I do not find in print any mention of the astounding noise made by Divers 
when suddenly shooting down from a great height in the air, and I never 
had the good fortune to hear it; but I have been told of it by several good 
observers, and among them the late Mr. Henry Evans, of Jura, who was well 
acquainted with it, and used to liken it to the roar of a sky-rocket. How it 
is caused is unknown, but it is not vocal and is quite distinct from any of the 
varied cries uttered by the birds. | 
§ 5005. One.—Sutherland, 1850. 
From John M‘Gregor, of Inchnadamph. 
§ 5006. Zwo.—Orkney, 1851. From Mr. George Harvey, of 
Stromness. 
