132 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



I have counted twelve to fourteen of these birds in 

 sight at one time ; very few, however, showing the 

 rings round the neck or the spotted back at all 

 well developed. 



The captive Diver above alluded to could not 

 walk when placed on land, but shuffled along on the 

 breast. I do not think a Great Northern Diver 

 could possibly rise from level ground, or fly from 

 land, unless able to precipitate itself from some 

 elevation. This opinion is confirmed by the fact 

 that these birds are sometimes found inland, flap- 

 ping and jerking helplessly along the ground, and 

 are, in consequence, easily captured. 



I once caught one thus, and thinking it wounded, 

 placed it on a small artificial lake, when, contrary to 

 my expectations and previous experience, it at once 

 rose and flew away, first flapping along the surface 

 as all Divers, and especially Cormorants, do before 

 they can clear the water and use their wings freely. 

 This bird was, however, captured inland late in the 

 spring, and, being probably on its migration, was 

 more likely to fly than usual. 



At a long distance a Great Northern Diver may 

 be distinguished by its actions from a Cormorant. 

 The latter always points the head and bill upwards, 

 the former carries it horizontally. The old anti- 

 Jacobite ditty of " Lillibulleroo," when quickly pro- 

 nounced, is no bad imitation of the Great Northern 

 Diver's wild cry. 



A Diver of this species was shot by the Hon. 

 B. Fitzpatrick, at Abbeyleix, Queen's County, sixty 

 miles inland a most unusual incident. 



The legs of all Divers are more or less flat, and 



