299 



THE RED-THROATED DIVER. 



COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, LlJlU. 



PLATE CCCCLXXVI1I. — Male in summer, Young Male in winter, Female, and 



Young unfledged. 



Whilst the icicles are yet hanging from the rocks of our eastern shores, 

 and the snows are gradually giving way under the influence of the April 

 rains, the Blue-bird is heard to sound the first notes of his love-song, and the 

 Red-throated Diver is seen to commence his flight. Already paired, the 

 male and female, side by side, move swiftly through the air, steering their 

 course, at a great height, towards some far distant region of the dreary 

 north. Pair after pair advance at intervals during the whole day, and 

 perhaps continue their journey all night. Their long necks are extended, 

 their feet stretched out rudder-like beyond the short tail, and onwards they 

 speed, beating the air with great regularity. Now they traverse a great arm 

 of the sea, now cross a peninsula; but let what may intervene, their 

 undeviating course holds straight forwards, as the needle points to its pole. 

 High as they are, you can perceive the brilliant white of their lower parts. 

 Onward they speed in silence, and as I stand gazing after them, they have 

 already disappeared from my view. 



The middle of May has arrived; our woods are once more filled with the 

 melodies of numberless warblers, and the Divers have ceased to be seen on 

 our eastern coasts. To study their habits at this season, we must follow them 

 to the islands in the mouth of the broad St. Lawrence, or to the granitic 

 rocks of Labrador. The voyage cannot be performed without great expense, 

 and may be attended with danger, but enthusiasm urges me on, and now my 

 bark skims over the blue waters. At length arrived on the rocky shores, I 

 prepare to visit the interior of that rude and moss-clad region. Thousands 

 of little lakes are seen, on which are numberless islets richly clad with grass 

 and sedge, the whole of which seems as if it had grown in a day, so tender 

 are the fresh blades, and so pure their light green tint. High over these 

 waters, the produce of the melted snows, the Red-throated Diver is seen 

 gambolling by the side of his mate. The males emit their love-notes, and, 

 with necks gracefully curved downwards, speed by the females, saluting 

 them with mellow tones as they pass. In broad circles they wheel their 



