166 
NORTHERN DIVER. Cuass Ik 
marked with a large semilunar white band ; im- 
mediately under the throat is another, both 
marked with black oblong strokes pointing 
downwards; the lower part of the neck is of a 
deep black, glossed with arich purple; the whole 
under side of the body is white; the sides of the 
breast marked with black lines; the back, co- 
verts of the wings, and scapulars, are black, 
marked with white spots; those on the scapu- 
lars are very large, and of a square shape; two 
at the end of each feather. The tail is very 
short, and almost concealed by the coverts, 
which are dusky spotted with white; the legs 
are black. 
These birds inhabit the northern parts of this 
island, live chiefly at sea, and feed on fish; we 
do not know whether they breed with us; as 
they do in Norway, which has many birds in 
common with Scotland. In the last it is called 
Meur-buachall, or the Herdsman of the ‘sea, 
from its being so much in that element. 
