BIRDS OF THE SEA 101 



GREAT NORTHERN DIVER (Colymbus glacialis). 



Best known as a winter visitor all round our coasts. 

 It is doubtful if it breeds in these islands, but may do so 

 in some secluded spots on the western isles of Scotland. 



Plumage. Head and neck black, glossed with purple 

 on throat and green on neck. Two bands of black, 

 barred with white, on throat. Mantle black, with white 

 spots ; under parts white. Bill, legs, and feet black. 

 Length 32 in. Female similar, but smaller. In winter 

 the throat bands are lost. Young : upper parts greyish 

 black, with pale edges ; under parts dull white ; bill 

 brownish. Young in down, blackish brown above and 

 pale brown below. 



Language. It utters a cry like screams or shrieks of 

 insane laughter ; also a trumpeting noise. 



Habits. Admirably equipped for aquatic life. It 

 swims and dives expertly. It flies well when occasion 

 demands. It comes only to land to breed, where it is 

 extremely awkward, owing to the very backward 

 position of the legs. 



Food. Fish and Crustacea. 



Nest. June. One brood. 



Site. On an islet in a fresh-water loch, or at margin 

 of lake. 



Materials. Aquatic herbage and moss, untidily heaped 

 together. 



Eggs. Two. Dark olive-brown, thinly spotted with 

 deep umber-brown and black. 



WHOOPER SWAN (Cygnus musicus). 



A winter visitor, not uncommonly met with on our 

 coasts. 



