430 COLYMBIDvE. 



Diver was plentiful until the beginning of June, when 

 they all disappeared. In Sutherlandshire, Mr. Selby says, 

 " that a single pair was seen in the Bay of Balnikiel, 

 mouth of the Durness Frith, both adult birds, and in 

 perfect summer plumage. It is probable that they had 

 their nest upon one of the numerous islets that abound in 

 the bay.'" 



The Rev. George Low says, " the Great Northern Diver 

 is very frequent around all the Orkneys, but especially in 

 the bays and harbours, which it enters in pursuit of small 

 fish, its only sustenance. The natural history of this and 

 the following species (another Diver), is something para- 

 doxical. Though they continue among these islands the 

 whole season, I can find none to inform me how or where 

 they breed." Mr. Robert Dunn, who has visited these 

 islands several seasons in succession, says, " this beautiful 

 bird is plentiful both in Orkney and Shetland, in winter 

 and spring. It leaves about the latter end of May, by 

 which time it has acquired its perfect summer plumage. 

 It is extremely shy, and very difficult to get within shot 

 of ; it generally congregates in parties of four or five ; it 

 dives with the utmost facility, can remain a long time 

 under water, and rises again at a great distance. In the 

 act of diving it does not appear to make the least exertion, 

 but sinks gradually under the surface without throwing 

 itself forward, the head being the last part that disappears. 

 It frequents the narrow inlets and sounds where there is 

 a sandy bottom, and the best way to procure it is to 

 secrete yourself amongst the rocks near the water's edge ; 

 by this means you will frequently get a shot at it, as it 

 swims pretty close to the land in shallow water when feed- 

 .ing. It must be shot dead, for if only wounded your 

 chance of getting it is very small. On my last visit to 



