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ANSERES. COLYMBID^E. 



The largest and finest species is that called the 

 Great Northern Diver, or Loon (Colymbus gla- 

 cialis, LINN.), a frequent visitor to our coasts. 

 It is larger than a Goose, its head and neck are 

 black, glossed with purple or green; the upper 

 parts of the body and wings black, regularly 



NORTHERN DIVER. 



marked with spots of white set in rows, large and 

 square on the scapulars, elsewhere small and 

 round. Two bands going partly round the neck 

 and the upper breast are white, with each feather 

 marked with black down the shaft : the under 

 parts are pure white. . 



The Divers live chiefly at sea, except during 



