GT. NORTHERN & BLACK-THROATED DIVERS. 137 



soil, about three or four feet long, terminated by the nest 

 cavity. 



Materials. If any, a few grasses or bents. 



Eggs. One. Dull white, spotted very faintly with pale 

 brown and grey. It soon becomes dirtied, and the markings 

 are soon obliterated. 



Family COLYMBIDJE. 



GEE AT NOBTHEBN DIVEE (Colymbus glacialis). 



Best known as a winter visitor all round our coasts. It is 

 doubtful if it breeds in these islands, but may do so in some 

 secluded spots on the western isles of Scotland. 



Plumage. Head and neck black, glossed with purple on 

 throat and green on neck. Two bands of black, barred with 

 white, on throat. Mantle black, with white spots ; under parts 

 white. Bill, legs, and feet black. Length 32 in. Female 

 similar, but smaller. In winter the throat bands are lost. 

 Young : upper parts greyish black, with pale edges ; under 

 parts dull white ; bill brownish. Young in down, blackish 

 brown above and pale brown below. 



Language. It utters a cry like screams or shrieks of insane 

 laughter ; also a trumpeting noise. 



Habits. Admirably equipped for aquatic life. It swims and 

 dives expertly. It flies well when occasion demands. It comes 

 only to land to breed, where it is extremely awkward, owing to 

 the very backward position of the legs. 



Food. Fish and Crustacea. 



Nest. June. One brood. 



Site. On an islet in a fresh-water loch, or at margin 

 of lake. 



Materials. Aquatic herbage and moss, untidily heaped 

 together. 



Eggs. Two. Dark olive-brown, thinly spotted with deep 

 umber-brown and black. 



BLACK-THEOATED DIVEE (Colymbus arcticus). 



The rarest of the three Divers which visit our coasts in 

 winter. It breeds sparingly in outer Hebrides and some parts 

 of the west coast of Scotland. 



Plumage. Crown and nape ash-grey. Upper parts blackish, 

 barred and spotted with white. Throat purplish black, with 

 half collar of white streaks. Sides of neck striped with black 

 and white ; under parts white. Bill black. Legs and feet 

 brown. Length 26 in. Female similar, but rather smaller. 



