DIVERS. 301 



the breeding season, and obtain their living by 

 following the shoals of fishes which approach the 

 shallows to spawn, especially the herrings, sprats, 

 &c. These they catch with great ease and cer- 

 tainty by diving, pursuing their prey with swift- 

 ness beneath the surface. Dr. Richardson found 

 the Northern Diver more abundant on the in- 

 terior lakes of Arctic America than in the ocean ; 

 he says it destroys vast quantities of fish. " It 

 takes wing with difficulty, flies heavily, though 

 swiftly, and frequently in a circle round those who 

 intrude on its haunts. Its loud and very melan- 

 choly cry, like the howling of the wolf, and at 

 times like the distant scream of a man in distress, 

 is said to portend rain. Its flesh is dark, tough, 

 and unpalatable." 



The following interesting account of the man- 

 ners of this species in captivity is given by Mr. 

 Nuttall of Boston. " A young bird of this 

 species which I obtained in the Salt Marsh at 

 Chelsea Beach, and transferred to a fish-pond, 

 made a good deal of plaint, and would sometimes 

 wander out of his more natural element, and hide 

 and bask in the grass. On these occasions he 

 lay very still, until nearly approached, and then 

 slid into the pond, and uttered his usual plaint. 

 When out at a distance he made the same cau- 

 tious efforts to hide, and would commonly defend 

 himself in great anger, by darting at the intruder, 

 and striking powerfully with his dagger-like bill. 

 This bird, with a pink-coloured iris, like albinos, 

 appeared to suffer from the glare of broad day- 

 light, and was inclined to hide from its effects, 

 but became very active towards the dusk of the 

 evening. The pupil of the eye in this individual, 



