BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
145 
Plate XXV. 
COLYMBUS SEPTENTKIONALIS, Linnets. 
Red-throated Diver. 
Chiefly a boreal s^iecies, especially during the breeding-season, the 
Bed-throated Diver is only known to visit ns during the winter. On onr 
eastern sea-board it seldom attains a lower latitude than Maryland, while in 
the West it has been met with along the coast as far south as San Diego, 
California. Farther north, however, on the shore-line, around the inlets 
of Washington Territory adjacent to the British possessions, it is more 
abundant. Althongh of rare occurrence along the Atlantic coast of the 
United States (and it is mostly the yonng and immature birds that are 
to be seen) yet in Arctic regions the species meets with the essential con- 
ditions of soil and climate which render life a jileasure, and not a burden. 
Consequently, the birds abonnd in great numbers, and carry on their 
worldly affairs nnexposed to the dangers which would most likely affect 
them in less severe localities that are the common resorts of man. 
Like most of its kin, this Diver is seen to the best advantage in 
winter. Here several may be seen together, when the weather is favorable, 
moving lightly over the surface of the sea by means of their broad seal- 
like i^addles, with gently-curving neck and flashing eyes, and on the qiii 
vive for whatever of life may stir in the depths below. But let some luck- 
less sprat cross the keen-sighted vision of one of these birds, and its whole 
demeanor becomes changed. It is now no longer the peaceful bird pursu- 
ing its way leisurely over the waters, but the terror of the finny tribes. 
Like an arrow, it darts downward, and with marvellous swiftness, urged 
by its powerful webbed feet and wings, it shoots through the limpid fluid, 
and by means of one fell stroke of its strong-pointed bill, transfixes its 
