370 
BRITISH BIRDS. 
Thefe birds do not congregate in large flocks, 
nor are they numerous on the Britifii Ihores, or on 
the lakes in the interior. They are late in taking 
their departure northward in the fpring, the fpeci- 
mens before mentioned being fliot in April. In 
their flight they make the air whiftle with the vigor- 
ous quick flirokes of their wings ; they are excel- 
lent divers, and feldom fet foot on the fliore, upon 
which, it is faid, they walk with great apparent 
diflSculty, and, except in the breeding feafon, only 
repair to it for the purpofe of taking their repofe. 
The attempts which were made by M. Baillon to 
domefticate thefe birds, he informs the Count de 
Buffon, quite failed of fuccefs. 
