THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 
277 
get witliiii range witli a single pair of oars, but with a boat more 
manageable than tliose of the ordinary kind. As the boat 
approaches at first, the Diver sinks the body very low, — so low, 
indeed, that the water covers the hollow of the neck; and the 
chances are, that when fired at it will escape by diving, unless 
the favourable moment be selected when the bird submerges 
the head, or turns it aside, or rises to flap its wings. I have 
once seen it take wing immediately on being shot at, and on 
many occasions after emerging from a dive taken to avoid a 
shot. At any time it rises with great difficulty, and in calm 
weather especially is very awkward, splashing along the surface 
with wings and feet for a hundred yards or more, the attempt, 
as often as not, resulting in a return to its more natural element. 
The mode in which this bird dives cannot be easily explained 
in words. I have watched it most carefully, but always with 
an unsatisfactory result ; it merely gives a slight start, if my 
meaning may be so expressed, and disappears in an instant. 
When wounded in such a manner as to be disabled from diving, 
it is a very awkward bird to handle. It will allow a boat to 
run close up without displaying any sign of activity ; but the 
moment a hand appears in reach, there is a sudden splash 
with wings and feet, and such a thrust is delivered with the 
sharp bill, that, if it take effect, it will probably interfere with 
the captor’s shooting for some days afterwards. Its tenacity 
of life is very great, none of the usual means of killing speci- 
men birds being sufficient ; bending the head backwards upon 
the neck will always prove effectual, if the lower hand be kept 
as close as possible to the head, so as to firmly grasp the nearest 
vertebra; but the most speedy method of aU is to insert a 
penknife between the first vertebra and the skull, taking care 
to cut the spinal cord completely across. 
In order to form a just estimate of the enormous muscular 
power possessed by this bird, it is only needful to watch it 
when wounded and brought to land, at the same time taking 
the opportunity — not forgetting due precautions to avoid a 
stroke from the bill — of attempting to restrain its endeavours 
