9524 Birds. 



into the boat, and after having, by means of a piece of stent line, made 

 it fast by the leg to the stem, they tossed it overboard. The poor bird 

 instantly dived, and for many minutes steadily towed the boat sea- 

 wards, remaining entirely submerged the whole time, except when 

 it rose to breathe. In performing this extraordinary feat it made 

 use of the wings, flying, as it were, beneath the surface, and keeping 

 the neck fully extended. The boat was thirteen feet in the keel, but 

 light for its size, being, like all those which are used in Shetland, built 

 of Norway pine. The northern diver is sometimes observed far out at 

 sea, but its most usual haunts are quiet bays and inlets, and more 

 especially such as have a sandy bottom in which it can seek its 

 favourite food, tlie common sand-launce {AinnioJyles laticea). In 

 consequence of the large number of fish whicli it destroys, and of the 

 frequency with which it drives the shoals from the coast, it is greatly 

 disliked by the fishermen, who, although they usually take but little 

 interest in ornithological matters, never fail to give me a hint as to 

 where 1 may obtain " a fine immcr-goose." Dr. Edmondslon informs 

 me that when under water it ploughs up the sand with its bill in order 

 to procure the fish and worms which are concealed beneath it, and the 

 turbid state of the water wiiich may often be observed in those parts 

 where the bird is feeding furnishes a strong proof of this habit; and, 

 in addition, I have repeatedly remarked the worn appearance of the 

 ridge of the upper mandible, and sometimes also of the lower one, 

 near their tip. This bird is not often seen upon the wing dnring the 

 winter months, but in spring I have frequently observed it flying at a 

 considerable height, circling over land and water, and at intervals 

 uttering loud, hoarse screams. At such times it may easily be known 

 by its long thick neck and by its small rapidly-beating wings, which 

 are situated rather far back. Its most common note bears considerable 

 resemblance to the barking of a small dog ; but upon a calm summer's 

 evening I have heard it utter a long-drawn plaintive cry, so strangely 

 unlike any other which is known to me that I cannot even attempt to 

 describe it. In consequence of adult birds having been seen here in 

 summer, several visitors, and among them Mr. llewitson, have ex- 

 pressed a belief that it breeds among these islands, and there now ap- 

 pears to be some substantial ground for the supposition. Seven years 

 ago I was much struck by the large size of a diver's egg which was sent 

 to me among others from the island of Yell; and soon afterwards, upon 

 my visiting the locality from which it was said to have beeia obtained, 

 I saw a northern diver in perfect summer plumage, but was unable to 

 shoot it. Although I made a most careful search the next year, 



