224 
British Birds. 
The Black-throated Diver. 
in the Mediterranean and in the United States. It is a bird of powerful flight* 
and often circles round in the air with a long sweep before settling down on the 
water of the loch where it has placed its nest. This is always to be found close to 
the water, and is sometimes built of grass and weeds in the water itself, but generally 
the two eggs are laid on the bare ground. The eggs are like those of the other 
Divers, and measure from three-and-a-quarter to three-and-a-half inches. 
The red patch on the throat in summer plumage distinguishes 
this species, and in winter the upper parts are ashy-brown, with 
white spots. It is a small bird, like C. arcticus , and the wing 
does not exceed eleven inches in length. Like the latter species 
it nests in Scotland, and very locally in the north of Ireland. 
Its breeding range extends throughout the Arctic Regions in 
Europe, Asia and North America, and in winter it ranges to the southward, and 
is not uncommon at that season on the British Coasts. In habits it does not 
differ from other Divers, and breeds on inland lochs, laying two eggs on the bare 
ground not far from water. The eggs are dark olive or chocolate-brown, with black 
spots and faint underlying spots of grey, and are about three inches in length 
or a little less. 
THE 
RED -THROATED 
DIVER. 
(Colymbus 
septentriunalis.) 
See p. 223. 
