4] 4 THE BIRDS OF DEVOX. 



rous in the estuaries of the larger rivers and on the sea-coasts, following 

 the shoals of herrings and sprats. This Liver is more frequently seen on 

 the south coast than on the north, and was especially numerous in the 

 springs of 1855, 1S56, 1870 ; also in January and February 1>!70. The 

 specimens obtained are usually in immature plumage, but adult birds 

 have not uncommonly occurred, and some have been killed in spring in 

 full breeding-dress. But for some years past this bird has not been so 

 common as formerly on the Ese, and Mr. Gatcombe noticed its decrease 

 in 1878 at Plymouth ; however, in the following year it was again 

 numerous in Plymouth Sound in January and February (Zool. 1879, 

 p. 2^)7). In 1885 it had once more become scarce (Zool. 1885, p. 21). 



Of the three British species of Cohjmhus. this is by tar the most common, 

 and is a regular visitor every autumn and winter to our Devon coast, 

 both in the north and south of the county. On the Barnstaple river 

 we have seen three or four in a day, and have shot specimens both 

 flying past our boat, as well as diving, but, not wanting examples for our 

 collection, have generally refrained from killing them. Like most of the 

 aquatic birds, this Liver is more plentiful in the south of the county, 

 where on Torbay we have seen it in flocks of a dozen or more, and in 

 October have met with some still with red throats, although the colour 

 was not so bright as it is at the nesting-season. 



A specimen was shot off Tumchapel on the Cattewater, PJvmouth, on August 1st, 

 1833 (E. M., Mag. Xat. Hist., 1837 ; J. C. B., Nat. Hist. S. Devon, p. 21.5). These 

 Divers were numerous at Plymouth in March, April, and May 1855 (B., M.S. Notes), 

 and one was shot there on May 5th of tliat year, having a few red feathers on the 

 neck (T. L. P., Zool. 1855, p. 4702). They were ayain vei-y plentiful in the spring of 

 1870. One December 22nd, 1872; two March 1873; a few in February 1877; a pair 

 in full breeding-])lumage in the Sound, April 2ncl, 1878; very numerous in January 

 and F"ebruary 187'J (J. Ci., MS. Notes ; and Zool. 1S70, p. 2100 ; 1873, p. 3444 ; 1877, 

 p. 163 ; 1878, p. 250 ; 1870, pp. 200, 2(J7). 



The Eed-throated Diver is not uncommon on the Kingsbridge estuary, where 

 one was shot in almost perfect summer plumage, October 15th, 1858 (M. A. M., 

 Zool. 1850, p. f)330); and a male in full dress in May 1866 (H. N., Zool. 1866, 

 p. 527) ; and others occurred in December 1800 (E. A. S. E.). 



Some may be seen in most years in Torbay. Many were seen in the spring of 1870, 

 and one in full plumage was procured at the beginning of March (A. von H., Zool. 1870, 

 p. 2008) ; this Diver m also frequently seen on the coast at Teignmuuth. One changing 

 to winter plumage was killed on the Exe estuary in October 1841, and a second a few 

 days after ; while one in full breeding-dress was shot in the spring of 1855 (F. W. 

 L. R., MS. Journ. iii. p. 121); and we ourselves saw many immature birds, or 

 " Wabbles," on the same estuary in 1855 and l.'<56. A specimen shot on the Clyst, 

 April 20th, 1863, was in nearly full breeding-plumage (W. D'L'.). One was obtained 

 off Exmouth, March 28th, 1867, in full plumage (C. S., MS. Notes), and another at 

 Dawlish, May 5th, 1880; another off Exuaouth early in May 1890, with red throat 

 (R. Green). 



Mr. Iiodd, who often watched the " graceful and wonderful movements" 

 of this species in the water, remarked " the ease with which it captures a 

 fish, and the large size of those which it can swallow whole " (B. of C. 

 p. 155). For the same reasons we have already given for the scarceness 

 of Terns and Divers off the coast of Somerset, this common .sjjecies is 

 rarely seen in that county, and the only one Mr. Cecil Smith could 



