210 GREAT-CRESTED GREBE. 



Northern Diver. It is only in the northern seas that 

 these birds are found. They occasionally approach the 

 coasts of Scotland, living chiefly on the ocean, and 

 feeding on fish. They principally breed in Norway, and 

 it is not known that they continue with us during that 

 season. 



The Northern Diver is the largest bird of its tribe, 

 measuring in length nearly three feet six inches. The 

 head and neck are of a purplish-black colour ; and a white 

 interrupted band extends from the chin to the back of the 

 neck. The bill, legs, and tail, are black. The back is 

 marked with square white spots, dispersed in rows, and 

 the wing-coverts with white dots. 



Red-throated Diver. In hard winters the Red-throated 

 Divers migrate southward, but seldom at any other time. 

 They frequent lakes in preference to the sea ; and subsist 

 on aquatic worms and insects, and on fish. These birds 

 breed in the northern parts of Scotland, constructing their 

 nest, of mosses and grass, in the herbage of the banks, 

 and lining it with down from their own body. The eggs 

 are two in number, and of a gray colour, spotted with 

 black. 



Great-crested Grebe. The nest of the Great-crested 

 Grebe is of very singular construction ; and, as Mr. 

 Pennant has observed, in some measure realizes the fable 

 of the Halcyon's nest. It is about the size of that of a 

 pigeon, and formed of the roots of bog-bean, the stalks 

 of the water-lily, pond-weed, and water-violet. It is so 

 formed as to float upon the surface of the water, which 

 penetrates it; and, wet as it is, the bird sits upon it and 

 hatches her eggs. These are white, and four in number. 

 The Crested Grebes feed on fish ; in pursuit of which, 





