266 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



The note of this bird may be expressed by the monosyllables 

 " Kroo ! kroow ! " 



THE GOOSANDER. 



" The gosander with them, my goodly fens do show, 

 His head as ebon black, the rest as white as snow." 



DRAYTON. 



This is also an exceedingly beautiful bird, and is the largest of the 

 British mergansers. It very rarely visits the southern counties of 

 England ; although in hard winters there are generally a few killed 

 by the punters. 



The flesh of the goosander is not palatable ; but the skins of these 

 birds are often sold at high prices, for the purpose of stuffing and 

 putting in glass cases. 



Goosanders are generally pretty numerous in the Orkney Isles, 

 where they abide throughout the whole year, unless driven farther 

 southward by the severity of frost. In the outer Hebrides they are 

 also frequently to be met with, in doppings of fifty and upwards. 



They are difficult birds to approach ; and their powers of diving 

 are so great, that they puzzle the oldest sportsman with their tricks 

 and dexterity ; when merely winged or slightly wounded, it is 

 almost impossible to capture them. 



THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 



[Cofo/mbws glacialis.'] 



" The Divers were many, and various in hue ; 

 Of the Northern, the Imber, Black-throated a few. 

 By tribes hyperborean their pelts often sought, 

 Into robes warm and flexile are frequently wrought." 



JENNINGS. 



This is the largest of the genus Colymbus, and by far the most 

 beautiful in plumage of the diver species. They are sought after by 

 the wild-fowl shooter more as trophies of successful sport, wherewith 

 to grace his hall, than for any other purpose. The flesh is dark in 

 colour, and unpalatable. 



They are so accomplished in the art of diving, that they do not 

 appear to make the least exertion on disappearing from the surface, 

 but sink gradually under water, without throwing themselves for- 

 ward, the head being the last part that disappears. 



