COURTSHIP ACTIVITIES IN THE RED-THROATED DIVER. 255 
Their passage through the water seemed to be accompanied by a good deal o£ 
resistance^ since a wave showed at their breasts. They would go for some 
distance in this way; then would often turn and continue the process in the 
opposite direction. The bird which had led in one direction, it seemed, might 
be replaced by another as leader after turning. The whole ceremony did not 
give the idea of a true pursuit, such as is seen among many birdsj but more 
of a race, or of something still more ceremonial and formal. 
The most usual arrangement is for one bird to lead, the other one or two 
being half a length or less behind. Various modifications of the pose are 
seen. Sometimes the body is at a very low angle, the neck little archer), the 
head and bill almost horizontal ; at others the tail is more submerged, the 
breast more elevated, the neck much arched, and the head and bill pointed 
•downwards ; it is in this pose that the likeness to a Plesiosaur is most marked. 
Occasionally almost the whole of the body is submerged. As to the general 
appearance, I quote from my notes : — "There is a strange stream-line effect 
about the creatures. They must be paddling with great energy to keep up 
Pig. 1. 
JJed-throated Diver : Plesiosaunis-race cerenioiij'. 
the speed." " There is often a snaky look about them when in the semi- 
vertical attitude." Altogether the effect as of tension, of emotional .ritual, so 
familiar to all those who have watched birds during courtship, is marked. 
A still further modification of the pose is sometimes seen in what may be 
called the " wing Plesiosaur attitude." In this the wings are stretched out 
nearly at right angles to the body, perhaps 2/3 spread^ the point inclined a 
little backwards, and somewhat drooped, so that the upper surface is plainly 
visible. This might be adopted by all the birds in a " race," or by the 
"pursuer" alone in a "race" of two birds only. The same attitudes and 
relative positions were maintained by one such pair of birds for over 
50 yards. 
Occasionally birds might be seen in a still more nearly vertical attitude. 
When this was so they did not progress fast. 
A peculiar note invariably accompanied this ceremony. 1 find it described 
in my notes as " a growl with a bubble in it " or a " rolling growl." This is 
repeated a number of times, and appears to be used just before or at the 
beginning of the ceremony proper. This note did not seem to be used at any 
other time, except in the " snake-ceremony " (see p. 257). 
