476 The Zoologist— November, 1866. 



Eider Duck. — Several pairs of eider clucks have lately been seen 

 near their breeding-places. 



Purple Sandpiper. — Purple sandpipers are still abundant, although 

 not so much so as in winter. 



Redthroated Diver. — Several redthroated divers are now upon the 

 voe. At this season they frequently utter a peculiar laughing cry, oddly 

 termed "lamenting" by the fishermen of this neighbourhood, and which 

 may be heard at a great distance in calm weather. It seems to be uttered 

 chiefly at night, or when danger is apprehended in the day-time. On 

 the 21st of April a fine male was shot by Mr. Thomas Edmonston, jun., 

 who, observing it feeding near the shore in shallow water, approached 

 it from seaward, thus compelling it to take flight and afford a fair shot. 

 The poor bird "lamented" repeatedly and loudly as the boat came 

 nearer, but, actuated no doubt by that same ruling passion which 

 induces some criminals to indulge in a hearty meal a inw minutes 

 before their execution, it occupied the intervals between its lamenta- 

 tions with a diligent continuation of its search for food among the 

 half-floating sea-weeds. With the exception of some scattered white 

 feathers at the base of the under mandible it was in full breeding 

 plumage. I have examined but kvi adult siJecimcns of this bird ; 

 therefore it may be better, without venturing an opinion of my own, 

 merely to call attention to the above evidence of a recent assumption 

 of the red throat and gray neck, and also to the fact that the highly 

 developed state of the sexual organs, and the result of a minule 

 inspection of the bones and muscles, completely satisfied me that the 

 bird was of mature age. 



Great Northern Diver. — Northern divers arc now appearing in 

 considerable numbers. Yesterday I saw one which, at a distance, 

 seemed to have the dark neck and double while collar perfect. A 

 female shot on the 25th of April, although still with the throat and 

 front of the neck white, was evidently an adult, for it contained ova 

 as large as No. 3 shot. There are now in my possession about half-a- 

 dozen skins of this bird, no two of which are precisely alike. I 

 would gladly offer some remarks upon them, but that I hope to 

 extend my experience in the matter before this time next year. 



May, 1866. 



Whiiuhrel. — The first whimbrels were- seen on the 2nd of May, 

 during a gale from N.E. On arriving here they are always in good 



