G R i : A T N O R T IT E W N 
DIVER. 
COLYMBUS GLJCIALIS. 
TVhether it is admissible to state that the Great Northern Diver breeds regularly within the limits of the 
British Islands appears to have puzzled many ornithological writers, Erom personal observations I cannot 
give any opinion on the subject, having as yet been unable to devote sufficient time to thoroughly/ explore the 
remote and lonely districts in which this interesting bird is supposed to take up its summer-quarters. 
Adults and immature, both in various stages of plumage, are to he met with at almost all seasons on the 
saltwater seas, lochs, and firths surrounding our islands. During early spring, autumn, and winter many 
penetrate to the inland Highland lochs, firths, and rivers, as well as to the lakes, broads, and estuaries of 
the English counties. When unmolested, I frequently remarked that the juveniles were by no means suspicious 
of danger, and paid little or no attention to those who merely watched their movements. The old hiids, 
however, are, in most localities, exceedingly wary, and, unless among the rocky islands off the northern and 
western coasts of the Highlands, where this species is seldom interfered with, offer few chances for observers to 
study their habits, or to collectors to secure specimens. 
In a most unexpected manner, a few years ago, I met with an excellent opportunity for examining an 
adult in magnificent plumage, at close quarters, off the north-east coast of Scotland. During my residence at 
Tain, in Ross-shire, in the spring and summer of 1869, I frequently explored the Cromarty rocks, to take notes 
on the Peregrines, Herons, Rock-Pigeons, and other birds resorting to this wild and rugged range of cliffs. 
Several cavities, just above high-water mark, are to be found in the face of the rocks near Shandwick, and 
bavin" made myself comfortable in one of these recesses, I was engaged in taking lunch in company with 
a couple of keepers. The day was fine, with scarcely a l)reath of air to ruffle the waves rolling up the cliffs, 
when suddenly, within fiye or six feet of the small ledge on which we had taken up our station, a Great 
Northern Diver skimmed up from the depths below to the surface of the water. The bird exhibited no signs 
of alarm, and as we all kept perfectly motionless, it remaiued for several seconds intently gazing in our direction, 
and then turning slowly and silently round, by the action of one foot, with the web expanded, the other foot being 
backed, dipped quietly down and continued its course for about eighty or one hundred yards before reappearing 
on the surface. The colouring of the eyes of this fine specimen was remarkably brilliant, the iris being of a 
bright crimson, sparkling with lighter rays of the same conspicuous tint around the pupil. 
On referring to my notes for 1872, while shooting on Hickling Broad and Heigham Sounds, in the east of 
Norfolk, durin" Noyember and December, I find these birds were seen repeatedly on tliose waters during the 
winter, specimens in immature plumage having been obtained for examination on the 28th of November and 
on the 4th and 14th of the following month. I only met with single birds, and all that came in view exhibited 
the earlier stages of plumage assumed during immaturity. But few words are necessary concerning the two 
first, as both were secured without difficulty; the third, however, proved an exceedingly tough customer, and 
after surviving charges from both punt- and shoulder-guns, endeavoured to avenge his injuries by an attack at 
