22 RED-THROATED DIVER. 



The Red-throated Diver is at all times an extremely shy and vigilant 

 bird, ever on the alert to elude its numerous enemies. The sight of 

 man seems invariably to alarm it, even in the wildest countries in which 

 it breeds. I have often observed that, while yet several hundred yards 

 from them, they marked my approach with great watchfulness. First 

 they would dive and make their way to the farther end of the pond, after 

 which, with outstretched necks, they would remain silent and motionless, 

 until I approached within about a hundred yards, when, instead of diving 

 again, as the Loon always does, they at once, with a single spring, rose 

 from the water, and ere I had proceeded a few yards, they were already 

 eight or ten feet above it. If I crept towards them through the tangled 

 mosses or shrubs, they would swim about with their heads elevated, as if 

 determined to make their escape on the appearance of imminent danger. 

 In many instances, my party observed this species in small flocks of five 

 or six in the same lake, when it happened to be of considerable extent ; 

 and as this was during the height of the breeding season, we concluded 

 that these associated birds were barren, as I ascertained that males and 

 females, when once paired, remain together until their young are able to 

 fly, when they part company, until the next pairing season, which is about 

 the first of March. 



This species begins to breed in Labrador in the beginning of June, 

 and about a fortnight earlier along the Bay of Fundy. The numerous 

 nests which our party found in the former district were all placed on 

 small sequestered islands in the middle of lakes or large ponds of fresh 

 water, rarely more than one mile distant from the sea-shore. These nests 

 consisted merely of a few blades of rank grasses loosely pvit together, and 

 were quite flat, without any down to warm or conceal the eggs at any 'pe- 

 riod of incubation. The nest was placed within a few feet of the water, 

 and well-beaten tracks, such as are made by otters, led to it. Whenever 

 the birds went to this spot they walked nearly erect in an awkward man- 

 ner, but when they sat in their nest they laid themselves flat on the eggs, 

 in the manner of a Goose or Duck. In no instance did they aUght on the 

 islands, but always on the water, at some distance, when, after examining 

 all around them for a while, they crawled silently out, and moved to the 

 spot which contained their treasure. 



Having been told that the Red-throated Diver covers its eggs with 

 down in the manner of many ducks, I was surprised to find the assertion 

 incorrect, and having killed several individuals during the period of in- 



