256 AVES NATATORES. [COLYMBUS. 



of Britain. Has been taken in Cornwall, Bedfordshire, and occasionally, 

 in the immature state, on different parts of the English coast. Seldom 

 Hies, but dives well. Feeds on fish, particularly herrings. Nest said to 

 be placed on the borders of fresh-water lakes, or in small islands. Eggs 

 two in number. Obs. In its immature state, this species is the C. Immer 

 of authors, but it is probable that in some cases this name has been also 

 applied to the young of the next species. 



270. C. arcticus, Linn. (Black-throated Diver.) 

 Occiput and nape cinereous brown ; front of the neck 

 violet-black : bill upwards of three inches in length ; the 

 upper mandible slightly curved. 



C. arcticus, Temm. Man. cTOrn. torn. u. p. 913. Black-throated 

 Diver, Mont. Orn. Diet Bew. Brit. Birds, vol. n. p. 181. Selb. 

 Ittust. vol.n. p. 411. pi. 77. 



DIMENS. Entire length from twenty-four to twenty-six inches. 

 TEMM. 



DESCRIPT. (Adult plumage.) Head and nape cinereous brown, passing 

 into black on the forehead ; throat and fore part of the neck black, with 

 purple and green reflections ; immediately beneath the throat a narrow 

 transverse white band longitudinally streaked with black ; on the sides of 

 the neck a broader band extending downwards from the ears, streaked 

 longitudinally with black and white ; lower part of the neck, and sides 

 of the breast, streaked in a similar manner : back, rump, and flanks, deep 

 black, without spots ; scapulars with twelve or thirteen transverse bars 

 of pure white ; wing-coverts black, speckled with white : breast and under 

 parts of the body pure white : quills dusky : tail grayish black ; under 

 tail-coverts barred with black : bill dusky ; the upper mandible more 

 curved than in the last species ; the lower mandible not thickened in the 

 middle, and without the groove : irides brown : feet externally brown ; 

 internally whitish; membranes whitish. (Young of the year.) Only to 

 be distinguished from those of the last species by their inferior size, and 

 characters of the bill as above pointed out : plumage almost entirely 

 similar : there is generally, however, a dusky band running longitudi- 

 nally down the sides of the neck, which is not present in the young of 

 C. gladalis. At the age of one year, a few black feathers begin to ap- 

 pear on the throat, as well as on the back, rump, and flanks ; there is also 

 a slight indication of the broad band of black and white streaks on the 

 sides of the neck. At the end of the second year, the colour of the fore- 

 head begins to deepen ; the violet-black extends itself over the throat and 

 fore part of the neck, still however mixed witty a few white feathers ; the 

 band of longitudinal streaks appears more distinct ; and the black and 

 white on the upper parts becomes tolerably well-defined. At the age of 

 three years, the plumage is generally matured. (Egg.) Dark olive-brown, 

 thinly spotted with umber-brown: long. diam. two inches nine lines; 

 trans, diam. one inch ten lines. 



Inhabits the Arctic Regions, but appears occasionally as a winter 

 visitant on different parts of the British coast, as well as on lakes and 

 rivers inland. Feeds on fish, frogs, insects, and aquatic vegetables. Nest 

 placed amongst reeds and rushes in marshy situations, or on the banks 

 of rivers. Eggs two in number. Obs. The Lesser Imber of Bewick is 

 probably the young of this species. 



