on Rambles among the Wild Birds . 33


(.Larus marinas), and also two or three nests of the Common Gull

(Larus canus). We had misgivings as to the safety of the Divers’

eggs when we saw the Black-backed marauders standing only a

few feet off them, but apparently they had no hostile intention,

as the Divers’ eggs were safe when we visited the islet a few days

later. It seems that there must be some sort of etiquette among

different species of birds breeding in close proximity. These

large Gulls are noted for their partiality for eggs, and yet these

three species were dwelling on this tiny islet, apparently in

perfect harmony.


It will be gathered from what has been written above that

the actions of the Black-throated Diver on land are anything but

graceful; but in the water quite the reverse is the case. The

bird is beautifully adapted for an aquatic life, and, except when

incubating or flying in the air, probably never leaves the water at

all. When alarmed, these birds sink their bodies and swim

rapidly along with the water rippling over their backs, and

scarcely any part of them but the head and neck showing above

the surface. They dive repeatedly, and stay a long time beneath

the water, often reappearing far away from the spot where they

vanished. The dive is not always a distinct forward plunge, as

is the case with the Diving Ducks, but, especially when alarmed,

the birds seem merely to bend the head and neck into the water

and so sink out of sight, scarcely leaving a ripple upon the

surface.


The Divers, though they have some difficulty in rising

from the water, fly well and very rapidly. We often saw a pair o.f

them circling high over the lochs while we were fishing. They

carry their necks stretched out in front and beat their wings

quickly, the mode of flight resembling that of the Ducks, but

they have a curious appearance in the air in consequence of the

wings being placed far back in their bodies. Just before the birds

descend to alight on the water, they set up a harsh quacking

noise, uttered very rapidly, but resembling somewhat the

quacking of a farmyard Duck. As the birds dash down very

swiftly into the water their note is somewhat drawn out, and may

be represented by the words “ Ouarra-quark,” “ quarra-quark,”

the accent being on the last syllable.



