RED-THROATED DIVER. 445 



Colyvibus stellatus, Second speckled Diver, BEWICK, Brit. Birds, vol. 



ii. p. 202. 



septentrionalis, Eed-tliroated FLEM. Brit. An. p. 133., 

 SELBY, Brit. Ornith. vol. 



ii. p. 414. 



JENYNS, Brit. Vert. p. 257. 



GOULD, Birds of Europe. 



Plongeon & gorge TEMM. Man. d'Ornith. vol. 



rouge, ii. p. 916. 



THE RED-THROATED DIVER is the smallest species of 

 the genus, as well as the most common ; and the occurrence 

 of specimens with white throats in winter is so constant 

 and so frequent, while those with red throats, at the same 

 time of the year are so rare, that the question has been 

 asked, and with some reason, is not the dark-coloured 

 throat in the three species of the genus Colymbus, an ap- 

 pearance peculiar to the breeding-season ? but to this part 

 of the subject I shall return before concluding the account 

 of the Diver with the red throat. 



Mr. William Thompson, of Belfast, considers this species 

 a regular winter visitant to Ireland, and records it as 

 having been killed at places on the north, the east, the 

 west, and also at Youghal in the south. It has been 

 killed on the coast of South Wales, as noticed by Mr. 

 Dillwyn ; it is very frequently observed and obtained in 

 winter on the coasts of Cornwall and Devon. Colonel 

 Hawker notices them on the coasts of Dorsetshire and 

 Hampshire ; specimens have been shot on the coast of 

 Sussex ; it is common about the estuary of the Thames, 

 both on the Kentish and Essex sides, where these birds 

 follow the numerous shoals of sprats, and are in consequence 

 called the Sprat Loon.* They are frequently caught in the 

 nets. The term Loon, or Loom, appears to be a modifica- 



* A Red-throated Diver has been taken at Hayley Bury, near Hertford, 

 which, in its fishing excursions, had probably pursued the course of the 

 river Lea from the Thames. 



