422 THE GUILLEMOT. 



a shot in the head. In the throat, which presented the ap- 

 pearance of a hag appended to the gullet, were found four- 

 teen large perch, quite whole and fresh. Its voracity was 

 such, that even after it was evidently wounded, it continued 

 to "bring up fish when diving, remaining at each immersion 

 several minutes under water, and making its way beneath 

 the surface from one end of the pool to the other. Another of 

 these birds was observed for a considerable length of time on 

 a large piece of water at Westwood-park, near Worcester. 

 The situation of this lake was very retired : no boat was upon 

 it, and scarcely any person allowed to approach. This rare 

 visitant seemed to excite as much alarm amongst the other 

 wild fowl on the lake, as surprise amongst those who had the 

 opportunity of seeing it : for, whenever the stranger ap- 

 proached, they hastened oat of the way, and at all times kept 

 as far off as possible. No attempt was made to capture it, as 

 the owner of the water would not allow it to be molested. 

 Their extreme shyness and timidity, though on the whole 

 contributing to their preservation, is, in some instances, the 

 cause of their being taken. Thus, the Eed-throated Diver, 

 another species near akin to the above, when met with by the 

 natives of the northern inlands, flying, as they often do, from 

 one of the small inland lakes to another, 'are so terrified by 

 loud shouts, that they will frequently fall down ; and if they 

 drop on the grass or heather, are easily caught by hand, as 

 from the awkward position of their legs, which, though w r ell 

 suited for water, are by no means adapted for land, they can 

 neither walk nor take wing again. 



The Guillemots constitute a family of sea-birds in many 

 respects resembling the Divers, but with wings still shorter ; 

 the chief distinction, however, is their having no hind-toe or 

 thumb; they live on fish and crabs, and when on land 

 frequent ledges of rocks, where they build their nests. The 

 species best known to us is that called the Foolish Guillemot 

 (Colymbus troile), a name probably acquired by its apparent 

 stupidity, in not only allowing a very near approach, but 

 even frequently remaining within shot, although its com- 

 panions may have been killed close to it. These are the 



