THE BIRDS OF A NORTHERN LOCH 71 



Divers watching us, but after I got inside 

 and the keeper went away I could see the 

 hen bird swimming towards me. She 

 came right up to my shelter, and for nearly 

 two hours swam about just outside. She 

 was a little suspicious at the different 

 aspect of the ground where I was hiding. 

 A tragedy nearly happened at this nest, 

 and again it was the Hooded Crow. The 

 Diver made a dash towards her nest, and 

 gave out a loud call, and at the same 

 moment I saw the Crow swooping down 

 towards the eggs. I did not hesitate a 

 moment, but gave a shout that I thought 

 would surely drive away the Diver for the 

 rest of the day, but I thought it better to 

 do this than lose the two precious eggs. 

 The Crow heard me, and at the same 

 moment some Gulls swooped down at the 

 robber, the Diver called again, and in the 

 general confusion the Crow was driven 

 away, and the Diver, fortunately, was not 

 alarmed at my shout. For a little while 



