LITTLE GREBE RED-THROATED DIVER. 223 



again observes the grebe at some little distance, when the 

 same scene is enacted, until the spoiler wings away disap- 

 pointed in its object. At other times a pair of hen-harriers 

 endeavour to weary out a water-hen or dabchick, by striking 

 at it each time it emerges after diving. 

 Indigenous. 



GENUS CIII. COLYMBUS (DIVER). 



SPECIES 216 THE RED-THROATED DIVER. 



Colymbus septentrionalis. Linn. 

 Plongeon cat marin ou a gorge rouge. Temm. 



Galrush. Speckled Diver. Second Speckled Diver. 



THE RED-THROATED DIVER, the most common of the birds 

 composed in the family, is a regular winter visitant to our 

 shores, and usually appears towards the end of October in the 

 Bay of Dublin. Widely distributed around the bays and es- 

 tuaries of the island, it occurs in considerable numbers on 

 the east and western coast of Ireland, and in favourite situa- 

 tions may constantly be observed whilst feeding or swimming. 

 The most favourite haunt of the red-throated diver in 

 Dublin Bay is the vicinity of the Poolbeg oyster-bank, a lo- 

 cality situated within a short distance of the roadside leading 

 to the Pigeon House Fort, and where one or two pairs may 

 be observed at all times. Heedless of the inclemency of the 

 weather, we have observed them diving, and successfully 

 fishing during a heavy fall of snow, and apparently took as 

 much pleasure as if they were enjoying the warmth of an 

 autumn sun, in which they also delight. At times so eager 

 in the pursuit of its finny prey as to venture up rivers deep- 

 ened by the accession of the tide, it disregards the falling 

 of the water until the shallows become exposed, when its 

 large size, and hurried impatience to regain the deep water, 

 attract an observation fatal to itself, as in two instances red- 

 throated divers were killed under similar circumstances upon 

 the Dodder river. In one instance the u galrush" (local name) 

 was pelted to death by boys who forded the river and pre- 

 vented all passage downwards, the bird endeavouring to 

 escape by diving, and never once attempting to take wing. 

 Frequently entangled in the fishermen's nets whilst pursuing 

 its prey, a very beautiful specimen at one time in Mr. Glen- 

 non's possession, and in the plumage of the second speckled 

 diver, was thus captured, and exhibited considerable tame- 

 ness, allowing the body to be stroked with the greatest fami- 



