78 
GOOSE, CAT DIVER, SPRAT 
LOON, GREATEST SPECKLED DI- 
VER, GREATEST TAILED DIVER, 
SPECKLED LOON, COBBLE. 
The Red-throated Diver measures about 
two feet two inches in length, and three 
feet eight inches in extent of wing. 
The female makes her nest, which is 
composed of moss and herbage, lined with 
a little of her own down, on the very edge 
of the shore; she lays two * eggs, which 
are nearly of the size of those of the domes- 
tic fowl, but of a longer shape, and of a 
dingy bluish white, thinly marked with 
dusky spots. They live in pairs, with in- 
conceivable affection, run swiftly upon the 
water, dive immediately, but are very auk- 
ward upon the land, from which they rise 
with great difficulty. Their flight, how- 
ever, when once on the wing, is both strong 
and swift: they rise to a great height, mak- 
ing at intervals a disagreeable croaking, or 
a loud howling cry. 
Both sexes are alike in plumage. 
* Montagu says the eggs are of an ash-colonr, marked 
with a few bjack spots. 
