25O BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



are obtained every season. Most of these ex- 

 amples, of course, are immature, or adults in 

 non-breeding plumage ; plain-looking birds, offer- 

 ing little attraction to the gunner beyond their 

 size. It is to be regretted that so many of these 

 birds are killed here for no purpose whatever. 

 Indeed, not many gunners take the trouble even 

 to bring them ashore ; and we have more than 

 once heard these so-called sportsmen tell of their 

 chase and final butchery of this Diver after 

 repeated shots, leaving its mangled body float- 

 ing upon the water ! At rare intervals, examples 

 of the Great Northern Diver are obtained in 

 the bay in full breeding dress. There is a 

 magnificent specimen in this plumage in the 

 Torquay Museum. Some winters these Divers 

 are much more numerous than in others. The 

 Great Northern Diver generally keeps well out 

 into the bay, but from time to time it may be 

 seen close inshore. Every winter a bird or two 

 are seen quite close to the sands at Torquay; 

 off Corbyn Head being, for some reason or other, 

 a specially favourite locality. The bird seldom 

 visits the land. During our entire residence in 

 the locality we have only once met with a Great 



