1 64 BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 



touching the surface. In winter these Divers are 

 by no means shy, and I have many times watched 

 them pursuing their fishing operations, from my 

 station on the cliffs. 



In May, the Red-throated Diver retires to its 

 breeding stations the wild romantic lochs and 

 pools so characteristic a feature of the Highlands 

 and the Hebrides. Solitary pairs generally scatter 

 themselves over a district, resenting intrusion, and 

 keeping to their own particular haunt. This Diver 

 probably pairs for life, returning each successive 

 season to a certain spot to nest. An island is 

 usually selected for the nest, which is invariably 

 made upon the ground, and consists generally of 

 little more than a hollow, into which is collected a 

 few bits of withered vegetation. As may be 

 expected, this nest is seldom made far from the 

 water, so that at the least alarm the sitting bird can 

 slip off and shuffle into the water at once. The 

 two narrow elongated eggs are olive- or buffish- 

 brown, spotted and speckled with blackish -brown 

 and paler brown. 



GREBES. 



In many respects Grebes are remarkable birds. 

 They form so well defined a group that no other 

 known bird can possibly be confused with them, 

 their characteristics being absolutely unique among 

 the class Aves. The most noticeable external 

 features of a Grebe are its relatively short body, 

 laterally compressed tarsi, lobed feet, rudimentary 



