BED-THROATED DIVEE 511 



not a few as early as September. Throughout the winter 

 this Diver may be seen fishing in the open sea, as well as 

 in sheltered bays and on tidal rivers, while a small number 

 resort to fresh- water lakes. 



During April and early May I have noted several in 

 nuptial dress, with richly-coloured red throats, in the 

 Irish Channel and along the rugged coast-line of the 

 west of Ireland. Mature birds in transition-plumage from 

 nuptial to winter, still retaining to a certain extent their 

 red throats, have been obtained in autumn, while Mr. 

 Warren records one instance of a starved specimen, in 

 full nuptial plumage, not long dead, which he picked up 

 on the Sligo coast on July 24th, 1890. But the majority 

 which frequent our coasts are immature birds, together 

 with adults which have already assumed their more sombre 

 winter-dress. 



In May the Bed-throated Diver migrates northward to 

 breed, and except in the north-western section of Scotland, 

 including the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Shetlands, and in a 

 few localities in the north-west of Ireland where it nests, it 

 is of rare occurrence during June, July, and August. 



In fine, sunny weather, small parties may be seen rest- 

 ing buoyantly on the surface of the calm sea, or rolling 

 and tumbling from side to side in ecstasies of delight, a 

 habit which when first witnessed gives one the idea that 

 the birds are fluttering from the effects of a recent gun-shot 

 wound. 



This species can travel great distances under water, and 

 when closely pursued, will appear on the surface only for 

 an instant to take breath, before disappearing again. Like 

 others of its Genus, it goes down practically without leaving 

 a ripple to mark the place of immersion. 



Flight. The night is swift and moderately buoyant, 

 and this bird like its congeners, possesses the power of 

 precipitating itself from a great height in the air into the 

 waves in pursuit of fish. I have seen it crossing over land 

 in the vicinity of adjacent lakes, as though it were changing 

 its quarters from one to the other ; and have further 

 noticed how, on many occasions, it will take wing rather 

 than dive at the approach of a boat, while its habits of 

 coursing up and down tidal channels have been frequently 

 observed. But it must not be supposed that it usually tries 

 to escape its enemies by flight, on the contrary, its diving- 

 powers afford it by far the best and most ready means of 

 eluding observation. 



