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T H E R E D - T H R O A T E D DIVER.
COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALISF LlNN.
P L A T E CCII. MALE IN SUMMER, YOUNG MALE IN WINTER, FEMALE, AND YOUNG
UNFLEDGED.
WHILST the icicles are yet hanging from the rocks of our eastern
shores, and the snows are gradually giving way under the influence of
the April rains, the Bluebird is heard to sound the first notes of his lovesong,
and the Red-throated Diver is seen to commence his flight. Already
paired, the male and female, side by side, move swiftly through
the air, steering their course, at a great height, towards some far distant
region of the dreary north. Pair after pair advance at intervals during
the whole day, and perhaps continue their journey all night. Their long
necks are extended, their feet stretched out rudder-like beyond the short
tail, and onwards they speed, beating the air with great regularity. Now
they traverse a great arm of the sea, now cross a peninsula; but let what
may intervene, their undeviating course holds straight forwards, as the
needle points to its pole. High as they are, you can perceive the brilliant
white of their lower parts. Onward they speed in silence, and as I stand
gazing after them, they have already disappeared from my view.
The middle of May has arrived ; our woods are once more filled with
the melodies of numberless warblers, and the Divers have ceased to be
seen on our eastern coasts. To study their habits at this season, we must
follow them to the islands in the mouth of the broad St Lawrence, or to
the granitic rocks of Labrador. The voyage cannot be performed without
great expense, and may be attended with danger, but enthusiasm
urges me on, and now my bark skims over the blue waters. At length
arrived on the rocky shores, I prepare to visit the interior of that rude
and moss-clad region. Thousands of little lakes are seen, on which are
numberless islets richly clad with grass and sedge, the whole of which
seems as if it had grown in a day, so tender are the fresh blades, and so
pure their light green tint. High over these waters, the produce of the
melted snows, the Red-throated Diver is seen gambolling by the side of
his mate. The males emit their love-notes, and, with necks gracefully
curved downwards, speed by the females, saluting them with mellow tones
as they pass. In broad circles they wheel their giddy flight, and now,
R E D - T H R O A T E D DIVER. 21
with fantastic glidings and curves, they dive towards the spot of their
choice. Alighted on the water, how gracefully they swim, how sportively
they beat it with their strong pinions, how quickly they plunge and
rise again, and how joyously do they manifest to each other the depth
and intensity of their affection ! Now with erected neck and body deeply
immersed they swim side by side. Reynard they perceive cunningly advancing
at a distance; but they are too vigilant for him, and down like
a flash they go, nor rise again until far beyond his reach. Methinks I
see them curiously concealed among the rank weeds under the bank of
their own islet, their bills alone raised above the water, and there will
they remain for an hour, rather than shew themselves to their insidious
enemy, who, disappointed, leaves them to pursue their avocations.
The Red-throated Diver is found, in tolerable abundance, on the seacoast
of the United States during autumn, winter, and early spring, from
Maryland to the extremities of Maine. The younger the birds, the farther
south do they proceed to spend the winter, and it is rare to see an
old bird, of either sex, at any season to the south of the Bay of Boston.
Farther eastward they become more common, and they may be said to be
plentiful towards the entrance of the Bay of Fundy, in the vicinity of
which a few remain and breed. I found some in December, January,
and February at Boston, where I procured males, females, and young
birds. The old had the red patch on the throat rather darker than in
the breeding season ; the delicate grey and white lines on the neck were
as pure as I observed them to be during summer in Labrador; and I
have since been convinced that birds of this family undergo verv little if
any change of colouring after they have once acquired their perfect
plumage, the Loon and the Black-throated Diver being included in this
remark; while, on the contrary, all the Grebes with which I am acquainted,
lose the beauty of their plumage as soon as the breeding season
is over. This remarkable difference between the Divers and the Grebes
would of itself be sufficient to separate the two genera, were there not
also other distinctions. The Divers, moreover, live on the sea during the
greater part of the year, and resort to ponds, lakes, or the borders of
rivers to breed; whilst the Grebes spend most of their time on inland
lakes, marshes, and streams. Immediately after the breeding season, as
soon as the young are able to fly, the families of Divers-make their way
to the arms and inlets of the sea, rarely entering the fresh waters until
the following spring.