The Bird Book 



the Black-throated and the Red-throated Divers. 

 The Great Northern Diver is chiefly known as a 

 winter visitor, though an instance of its breeding in 

 the Shetlands has been recorded. The diving 

 powers of this bird are indeed remarkable, since 

 it is no uncommon thing for the bird to swim four 

 or five hundred yards under water, and so speedily 

 can it submerge its body that it is an exceedingly 

 difficult bird to shoot. Those who have attempted 

 the task assert that it is useless to fire when the 

 bird's head is turned in the direction of the 

 gunner, for on seeing the flash it dives and is 

 out of harm's way before the shot can reach it. 

 Thus wonderfully has Nature equipped them for 

 the aquatic life they have to lead. 



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