128 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



mersion of this bird and the Red-throated species : 

 " Their method of diving I have watched carefully, 

 and was at all times much struck by their marvellous 

 facility in going down. A bend of the head forward 

 and downwards till the point of the bill is in the 

 water, followed by the instant disappearance of the 

 bird without the least splash ; a few small circles on 

 the surface being all that remain to mark the point 

 of departure from view. One thing I noticed 

 particularly, and that was the power of these birds 

 to float high or low at pleasure. One moment they 

 may be seen swimming high and buoyant as a 

 duck, the next with not much more than the outline 

 of the back above water. Is this due to the bird 

 taking in or emitting air, to an unusual effort 

 bodily, or to a combination of both ? " 



When once established in its winter quarters this 

 bird is seldom or never seen on the wing. A pair 

 will usually choose a small bay or creek, and there 

 remain for the season. They then appear to trust 

 for safety to their wonderful gift of submersion to 

 avoid danger. The Black and Red-throated species 

 will as often as not rise and fly at once when pursued 

 or when moving about, but if wounded the latter can 

 dive with the ease and power of their larger relative. 



On a calm fine day in mid-winter, the Great 

 Northern Diver may be observed busily fishing or 

 lolling at rest on the surface, head and neck some- 

 times prostrate along the back, and presenting the 

 appearance of a badly wounded bird. 



From time to time they will roll first one wing 

 and then the other under the water, showing the 

 white underside in the motion ; when in this lazy 



