134 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



nalis\ is of frequent occurrence on the Irish coast, 

 and is now and then seen inland. As with the last- 

 named, the young birds and females greatly pre- 

 dominate. Ten might be shot in the spring, and 

 not one with the red-throat from which the bird 

 derives its name. These birds are often to be 

 found following the sprats, on which they feast 

 beyond belief. I have, at various times, shot at, 

 and, as I at first thought wounded, one of these 

 divers, whilst engaged with a shoal of such fish. 

 The bird would dive but badly, and refuse to fly as 

 usual. On my pushing nearer, it would rise after 

 several flapping efforts, and fly heavily off. What 

 hindered an earlier departure was not a gunshot 

 wound, but rather the internal weight of fish, some 

 of which being disgorged, as ballast thrown over- 

 board, enabled a better flight. The fact of after- 

 wards finding the rejected sprats strewn on the 

 surface, afforded a sure proof of what a glutton had 

 been disturbed. 



Whether inwardly laden with fish or not, these 

 three Divers are very slow in rising from the surface ; 

 a Cormorant is even more so, and a Gannet finds 

 most difficulty of all in getting clear of the water. 

 A rough sea will always enable a Diver to rise more 

 freely and quickly than is possible from smooth 

 water. See a Gannet lifting from a calm surface, 

 and mark what a laborious effort it is for the bird 

 to get clear, and so use its long wings with full 

 effect. Though the Red-throated Diver flies often, 

 the Great Northern very seldom does so. That the 

 latter can fly, however, there is, of course, no doubt ; 

 I have many times seen them do so, but only at sea. 



