TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 99 



stance. In the act of diving it does not appear to 

 make the least exertion, but sinks gradually under 

 the surface without throwing itself forward, the 

 head being the last part that disappears. It differs 

 considerably in size and weight : the largest I shot 

 in Shetland weighed sixteen pounds, the smallest 

 ten pounds. It frequents the narrow inlets and 

 sounds where there is a sandy bottom, and the 

 best way to procure it is to secrete yourself 

 amongst the rocks near the water's edge ; by this 

 means you will frequently get a shot at it, as it 

 swims pretty close to the land in shallow water 

 when feeding. It must be shot dead, for if only 

 wounded your chance of getting it is very small. 

 I once fired at eight in Orkney from my boat, 

 six of which I wounded very severely: some ap- 

 peared to be dead, but before I could get amongst 

 them they recovered, and immediately disappeared 

 under the water. I chased them for some time, 

 but was obliged to give it up without getting one. 

 A short time afterwards I killed two at one shot. 

 On my last visit to Shetland I saw a Northern 

 Diver in Hammer Voe, in the parish of North- 

 maven, on the 28th of June ; it was in perfect 

 plumage, and I was informed it had been there all 

 the summer. I presume it must have been wounded 

 or it would have left in the spring. It was remark - 

 f 2 



