COBBLE. 



95 



It is frequently taken in nets, by diving after the fish which are 

 entangled. In the general synopsis mention is made of no less than 

 fourteen having been taken by this means out of a single net at 

 Hudson's Bay at one tide. 



The young Cobble has been made a distinct species, and is thus 

 described in the first edition of this work. 



The weight of this species is about four pounds ; length twenty 

 seven inches ; bill three inches long, of a pale horn-colour ; ridge of the 

 upper mandible dusky ; irides yellowish brown. 



The head is dusky, speckled with grey ; the hind part of the neck 

 plain dusky ; the sides of the head under the eyes, the chin, and throat, 

 white ; the fore part of the neck speckled with ash-colour ; back and 

 whole upper parts dusky, marked with numerous small oval white spots ; 

 quills and tail dusky ; in some the latter is slightly tipped with white ; 

 the whole under parts of the body white, except on the sides under the 

 wings, which are streaked with dusky ; the thighs dusky brown ; the 

 vent and under tail coverts mottled with grey ; the tail consists of 

 twenty-two unequal feathers, the outer ones not being half so long as 

 the middle ones ; legs dusky brown, inside greenish grey. 



The female is not so large, and the spots on the back and scapulars 

 not so large and distinct. 



The Cobble is the most common species found in this country ; it is 

 frequently seen in winter in our bays and inlets, and sometimes in fresh 

 water rivers and lakes. It is observed to attend the sprats in the river 

 Thames, for which reason the fishermen call it the sprat-loon; this, like the 

 rest of its genus, retires northward to breed; it is said to be common about 

 the Baltic, and the White Sea ; it lays two eggs in the grass, upon the bor- 

 ders of lakes, the size of those of a goose ; dusky, with a few black spots. 



In making a tour through the fens of Lincolnshire, we had an 

 opportunity of comparing the rate at which this bird can swim, both on 

 the surface and under water ; we had approached very near to one 

 unobserved, as late as the twenty-fourth of May ; he dived the instant 

 he perceived us, and in the course of half-a-mile gained upon us con- 

 siderably, both under water and on the surface ; although the foot-path 

 was good, and in a straight line. The distance from his place of 

 immersion and emersion seemed to be about eighty or ninety yards. 

 It is observable that all birds, and even quadrupeds, residing much in 

 the water, are aware of their superior powers of velocity under the 

 surface, and invariably dive when pursued, or where speed is required, 

 rising occasionally to the surface for renewed respiration. 



