42 



and always on the margin of the stream, or perched 

 in their peculiar attitude on some projecting stone 

 in the middle of the water. By some naturalists 

 they have been said to walk with apparent ease at 

 the bottom of the water, a statement which after 

 close observation appears doubtful. They breed 

 early, and the young are generally fledged in the 

 beginning of May. They build their large mossy 

 nest in any part of a rock that overhangs a stream. 

 Similar in shape to that of the Wren, the nest is 

 composed externally of moss and lined with the 

 decayed leaves of oak and other trees. When 

 perched this bird delights in a constant dipping 

 motion, at the same time flirting its tail, which is 

 carried rather erect, in the same manner as that 

 of the Wren. The eggs, four or five in number, 

 are of a transparent white. 



DIVEE, GEEAT NOETHEEN. 



COLYMBUS GLACIALIS, Lin. 



The Great Northern Diver is not very numerous, 

 nor permanently resident in any locality. Narrow 

 channels, friths, sealocks, and sandy bays are its 

 favourite places of resort. It swims with great 

 speed, sinking partially when alarmed, and dives 

 with remarkable celerity, remaining a long time 

 under water. On account of its vigilance and 



