BED-THROATED DIVER.
COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, Linn.
Colymbus septentrionalis, Linn. S. N. i. p. 220 (1766) ;
Macff. v. p. 301 ; Hewitson, ii. p. 453; Yarr. ed. 4, iv.
p. 112; Dresser, viii. p. 621.
Eudytes scptentrionalis, Naum. xii. p. 434.
Plongeon cat-mar in, French ; Rothkehliger Taucher,
German; Gadellot (Valencia), Agulla (Cataluna).
This bird is well known on all parts of the coasts of
the three kingdoms, and is not infrequently met with
during the winter and early spring months at a considerable
distance from salt water; but its breeding-haunts
in our country are confined to Scotland and its
adjacent islands, and a few localities in the north of
Ireland. The red-throat plumage is assumed in May,
and occasionally carried till late in the succeeding
autumn, but the great majority of the birds of this
species met with on our coasts and estuaries during the
months of late autumn and winter are white-throated,
and commonly known to fishermen as Sprat-Loons, or
Speckled Divers; in this state of plumage I am very
well acquainted with this Diver, and have met with it