258 THE LOON. 



Amongst the wild-fowl may be classed the various 

 species of divers and grebes which frequent our shores 

 and harbours, especially in winter, and which afford good 

 sport to the gunner, by their wonderful power of diving 

 long distances in their efforts to escape. 



The provincial name of " loon " {Macbeth, Act v. Sc. 3) 

 is applied both to a diver and to a grebe. On many parts 

 of the coast the red-throated diver (Colymbus septentrio- 

 nalis) is known as the "loon," "speckled loon," and 

 "sprat loon." In Norfolk, the name is applied to the 

 great-crested grebe {Podiceps cristatus). 



Shakespeare employs the term " loon " as synonymous 

 with " coward ; " and if we call to mind the habits of the 

 two birds to which the same name has been applied, it is 

 certainly not ill bestowed upon one who lacks courage to 

 face an enemy. 



Another species of grebe is referred to by Shakespeare 

 in his Venus and Adonis : — 



" Like a dive-dapper peering through a wave, 

 Who, being look'd on, ducks as quickly in." 



This is the little grebe, or dabchick {Podiceps minor). 

 In some parts of the country we have heard it called 

 " di' dapper," but it was not until we had met with the 

 passage above quoted that the meaning of the word 

 became apparent. 



On the subject of " loons," the Rev. H. Jones has some 



