244 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



are not numerous, and are confined chiefly to northern and 

 temperate regions. 



THE RED-THROATED DIVER. Colymbus septentrionalis. 

 During the winter the Red -throated Diver is tolerably nu- 

 merous around our coasts, occasionally ascending rivers, and 

 venturing inland to the fresh waters which are yet unfrozen. 

 On the northern British mainland a few pairs may frequent 

 some of the lochs to incubate, but the chief breeding sta- 

 tions with us are in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, where 

 this species is plentifully found. In his ' Ornithologist's 

 Guide' to these islands, Mr. Dunn gives the following ac- 

 count of the habits of the bird he says : " On the banks of 

 the latter" (the lakes) "they lay their eggs close to the water's 

 edge, so close indeed that the bird can touch the water with 

 its bill while sitting on its eggs ; they are remarkably shy, 

 particularly during the breeding-season, and if any one ap- 

 proaches the lake, instantly leave their nests and take to the 

 water. The female lays two eggs, which in general are de- 

 posited amongst a few loose stones. Perhaps these birds 

 have the power of removing their eggs from their proximity 

 to the water ; for were it to be swollen only two or three 

 inches in height, the eggs would be destroyed. I have taken 

 several of their eggs, and invariably found them not more 



