A VISIT TO LOCH SWEN, ARGYLLSHIRE. 285 



The rock-birds, most of which come right up the loch in 

 their fishing expeditions, were Razorbills and the Common and 

 Black Guillemot ; the last named is comparatively rare, for in 

 Orkney in winter it is more frequently met with than the 

 other. To supply the numerous fish-eating birds in this loch 

 there must be a tolerable supply of fish, and it was a pretty sight 

 to watch the different species, when — as often happens — a lot of 

 small fry would break up to the surface. A Gull, probably, 

 hovering in the air, would first make out the prize, but its first 

 dart downwards to secure its booty is the signal for its congeners 

 to hurry up in swarms, and a gyrating column of Gulls is rapidly 

 formed, flying round and round, broken frequently by individuals 

 shooting down to the water, as an unfortunate fish comes to the 

 surface. The keen eyes of the Razorbills and Guillemots discern 

 this at once ; they know that under that column of Gulls are the 

 fish. The Red-breasted Mergansers are equally alert. Up they 

 all fly and splash heavily into the water, right under the Gulls, 

 and in a few minutes, where you could not see a bird, you may 

 now see fifty ; and, unless one wantonly disturbs them, they will 

 permit you to approach within twenty yards to watch them as 

 long as the fish remain. 



Of Grebes there were a few of the Great Crested and 

 Sclavonian species, and the common Dabchick ; these were 

 none of them numerous. Possibly the Eared and Red-throated 

 Grebes were there, but, unless shot, one cannot identify them. 

 The two kinds of Cormorants were, of course, common. 



The Divers proper were well represented too, the Great 

 Northern and Red-throated being numerous ; the Black-throated 

 I did not identify, but, as in the case of Grebes, unless in full 

 breeding plumage, one cannot at a glance distinguish between 

 individuals of this genus. There is a considerable difference in 

 the habits of even birds so similar in appearance as the Great 

 Northern and Red-throated Divers. The larger bird is more 

 local in his habits ; he takes up his winter quarters in some 

 place in October or November, and earns his living there or 

 thereabouts until his departure for his northern breeding haunts, 

 regardless of wind, weather, fish, or anything else. Such powerful 

 birds as the Gannet and Red-throated Diver occasionally succumb 

 to stress of weather and get washed ashore. Not so the Great 

 Northern Diver ; no one ever hears of his getting driven ashore, 



