THE RED-THROATED DIVER. 
205 
to flight, in preference to diving, when closely pursued. In this 
instance I fully calculated on getting a shot at one, which I fol- 
lowed up a very long and narrow channel from which he could 
not apparently escape, but he took wing before I came within five 
shots of him. Considering the habits of the species, I looked 
upon this as the result of a train of reasoning, as in the open sea 
or a wider channel he would certainly have admitted a much 
nearer approach, and have let me get all but within shot before 
diving to escape. They possess considerable powers of flight, but 
appear rather awkward in the air, with their necks stretched 
straight out before their bodies like long sticks.” 
During days of bright sunshine in spring, when the sea was 
perfectly calm, red-throated divers have frequently been observed, 
through a telescope, in Belfast Bay, enjoying themselves after 
their own peculiar fashion, by turning the body slowly round, 
screw -like, in one direction, occasionally lolling for a time with 
their backs on the surface of the water, again lying upon their 
sides, and assuming innumerable attitudes. The first bird per- 
ceived in this state was supposed to have been severely wounded 
and in the agonies of death, but it was soon afterwards ascertained 
to be a habit of the species during the warm and genial weather 
of spring.* 
This diver comes far up Belfast Bay, and occasionally, during 
the period of its stay, near to the town; I have known one to 
be killed some distance up the river Lagan, but within flow of 
the tide. 
The red -throated diver varies so much in size and in its dif- 
ferent states of plumage, that, until of late years, it was con- 
sidered as constituting more than one species. Notes are 
before me of several specimens varying from 3 lbs. 9 oz., to 
6! lbs., though in total length they ranged only from 2 feet 4, 
to 2 feet 7 inches. A young bird of the year, killed in Belfast 
Bay, was once brought to me (February 1, 1838), after having 
been lightened of six young herrings from four to six inches in 
* Mr. Darragh. 
