BIRDS OF THE SEASHORE 109 



RED-THROATED DIVER 



(Colymbus septentrionalis] 



Resident in Scotland. Fairly common round our 

 coasts in winter. It breeds on the northern and western 

 isles of Scotland, on the mainland, and in west of Ireland. 



Plumage. Head, throat, and sides of neck pale grey. 

 Crown and nape slate-grey, streaked with white. Neck 

 striped with black and white ; on front of neck a patch 

 of orange-chestnut. Back dusky brown, speckled with 

 white ; under parts white, with greyish spots on flanks. 

 Bill, legs, and feet blackish. Length 23 in. Female 

 similar, but smaller. In winter, red on throat lost, and 

 plumage above spotted and streaked with white. Young : 

 feathers of back and wing-coverts edged with white ; 

 young in down brownish black above and greyish brown 

 below. 



Language. A harsh " kark kakera." 



Habits. Similar to the last species. 



Food. Similar to the last species. 



Nest. May or June. One brood. 



Site. On the margin of some secluded tarn or loch. 



Materials. If any a few water-weeds, heather, or 

 bents. 



Eggs. Two. Olive-brown, spotted with dark umber- 

 brown. Variable in size. 



GANNET OR SOLAN GOOSE (Sula bassana). 



Resident, but coming south in winter. Very local, 

 breeding only in certain localities, e.g., Lundy Island, 

 Fame Islands, certain stations in Scotland, especially 

 the famous Bass Rock, and in Ireland. 



Haunts. Ledges of the sea-cliffs and the sea. 



Plumage. Generally pure white, tinged with buff on 

 the head and neck. Primaries black ; wings long and 

 pointed. Nude skin round base of bill and eye dark 



