BED-TIIBOATED DIYEB. 217 



on Loch Shin, in Sutherlandshire, which was long persevered in. 

 In this case submersion frequently took place, which continued for 

 nearly two minutes at a time, and they generally reappeared at 

 nearly a quarter of a mile distant from the spot at which they 

 went down. In no instance did he ever see them attempt to 

 escape by taking wing. "I may observe," says this acute ornitho- 

 logist, " that a visible track from the water to the nest was made 

 by the female, whose progress on land is effected by shuffling along 

 upon her belly, propelled from behind by her legs." When 

 swimming, they are in the constant habit of dipping their bill in 

 the water with a graceful motion of the head and neck. 



The eggs, of which there are two, sometimes three in the same 

 nest, are of a very elongated oval form, three inches in length, two 

 inches in their greatest girth, and of a brownish olive sprinkled 

 with black or dark-brown spots, and are larger at one end than at 

 the other. 



THE RED-THROATED DIVER (Colymbus septentrionalis) . 



ENGLISH SYNONYMS. Bed-throated Loon, Bed-throated Diver : Montagu, 

 Selby, Yarrell. Speckled Diver : Montagu. 



LATIN SYNONYMS. C. septentrionalis: Linn., Latham, Jenyns, Bona- 

 parte, Temminck. C. borealis. Siviatus, and stellatus : Latham. 



FRENCH SYNONYMS. Plongeon Col Marin, ou d Gorge Rouge : Temminck. 



The Hed- throated Diver is smaller than either of the preceding, 

 the plumage is dense and firm, the wings of moderate length, the 

 tail rounded and firm. 



From the beginning of October to the middle of May these birds 

 are constantly found on our northern coasts, and on the rivers and 

 estuaries with which they abound. When on a long journey, they 

 keep at a great height, moving rapidly in a direct course with 

 outstretched wings. On these occasions they exceed the speed 

 of most of their congeners. With their long outstretched necks 

 and snow-white breasts, from their comparatively short wings, 

 they present a curious and novel sight. When swimming they are 

 extremely vigilant, and permit nothing to approach them. On the 

 appearance of a boat they glide as it were out of sight under the 

 water, without noise or flutter, and thence pursue their way with 

 great rapidity, using wings as well as feet to propel themselves. 



