LXXX. 

 COLYMBUS GLACIALIS. (linn.) 



Great Northern Diver, Loon. 



I know of no instance of the Great Northern Diver hav- 

 ing been detected breeding on the British islands, although I 

 have little doubt that one or two pairs do breed annually 

 amongst the numerous isles of Shetland, upon some of the 

 many grassy uninhabited ones there, called holmes. Whilst 

 on an excursion amongst them we frequently saw single birds, 

 and, in one instance, came suddenly upon two together, one 

 of which we shot. We could obtain no information from the 

 natives, who, in consequence of never having been able to 

 find their eggs, believe that they hatch them under their 

 wings. A gentleman residing there told us that he had once 

 seen an old bird accompanied by a young one. Like the 

 other two species, they make no nest, but deposit their two 

 eggs on the bare ground, close to the margin of the water : 

 the one from which the accompanying drawing is made was 

 brought home from one of the North American lakes, by Mr. 

 John Laws, and is now in the collection of Mr. R. R. Win- 

 gate. 



Mr. Audubon found the eggs in Labrador during his late 

 arduous visit to that country. 



