146 



KEARTONS' NATURE PICTURES 



This species breeds on lochs in the 

 extreme north and north-west of Scot- 

 land and the outer Hebrides, and, I 



BLACK-THROATED DIVER'S EGGS. 



regret to state, is much persecuted by 

 egg-collectors and gamekeepers, the 

 latter of whom state that they shoot it 

 in the interests of the trout in their lochs. 

 The nest is made on some narrow 

 promontory running out into a loch, or 

 upon a low grassy island, and consists 



of a slight hollow in the ground. Some- 

 times it is lined with a few bits of vege- 

 tation, and at others nothing at all. 

 It is never far from the bird's natural 

 element, and as incubation advances she 

 produces a well-defined track by her 

 journeyings to and from the water. 



When observed within a few feet this 

 handsome bird presents such a picture 

 of majestic grace and solidity that one 

 feels as if gazing at something cut out of 

 marble. 



Whilst the female is engaged in the 

 work of incubation her mate swims 

 placidly about on the loch not far away, 

 amusing himself by taking occasional 

 dives, or lying over on his side and 

 preening himself. 



The members of this species have two 

 very noticeable and curious habits. 

 When swimming about on a loch un- 

 conscious of danger they often dip 

 their sharp-pointed bills into the water, 

 and when aware of the presence of man 

 they will frequently swim with their 

 heads and necks only above water. 

 This is especially the case after the 

 young ones have been hatched and 

 left the nest in charge of their parents. 



