254 
THE RED-THROATED DIVER. 
the back and wings of the other Divers are here altogether 
wanting. About twenty-six inches i-s the usual length of 
this bird, which is perhaps the commonest of its genus with 
us ; numerous individuals being met with on most part of 
our coasts from the beginning of October to the middle of 
May, but more especially in bays and estuaries, the young 
birds being proportionably more numerous on the southern 
than on the northern shores. In the end of spring, having 
paired, they retire northward, the greater number probably 
betaking themselves to the arctic regions, although many 
remain to breed by the island lakes of the Scottish High- 
lands, as well as on the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland 
Islands. 
The nest is placed on an island or tuft, or among the 
herbage near the margin, or even on the stony beach, of a 
lake or pool, and is composed of grass, sedge, or heath, or 
other easily-procured plants, generally in small quantity, 
and neatly put together. The eggs are two or three in 
number, of a pale olive-brown colour, and spotted or dotted 
with umber. All the Divers, from having their legs short, 
and placed very far back, find locomotion on land very 
difficult ; indeed, they cannot really walk, only push them- 
selves along on their bellies. Hence their nests, when 
placed at any distance from their proper element, the water, 
can generally be discovered by the distinct track which the 
old bird makes in wriggling itself along to and from the 
pool, lake, river, or estuary in which it feeds and refreshes 
itself. While incubating, the male is said to continue with 
the female, and to take her place on the eggs occasionally. 
If deprived of their precious charge, both birds may be heard 
for several evenings lamenting their loss with loud melan- 
choly cries. Their usual notes ''are harsh, and resemble 
those of the Gannet. 
