. A history of British birds . ere are none of the indications ofthe neck-bands noticeable in the latter. The form and structure of the legs and feet in theseDivers, and also in the Grebes, arc worthy of particularexamination. Though almost useless on land, these mem-bers are most efficient instruments in the water. The bonesare broad and flat, and almost as thin as the blade of a knife ;when the backward stroke in swimming is given, the wholesurface of all these bones and their investing membranes isbrought to bear against the water ; but when the leg is to bebrought forward again to renew th
. A history of British birds . ere are none of the indications ofthe neck-bands noticeable in the latter. The form and structure of the legs and feet in theseDivers, and also in the Grebes, arc worthy of particularexamination. Though almost useless on land, these mem-bers are most efficient instruments in the water. The bonesare broad and flat, and almost as thin as the blade of a knife ;when the backward stroke in swimming is given, the wholesurface of all these bones and their investing membranes isbrought to bear against the water ; but when the leg is to bebrought forward again to renew the impulse, the sharp edgesonly are opposed to the fluid, and the position, as well asthe partially-rotatory motion, remind the observer of theaction of oars in rowing when used by skilful hands. Thosewho have the opportunity of examining the legs of a Diver,in a recently-killed specimen, while all the parts retain theirperfect flexibility, will find a beautiful example of animalmechanics. 112 PYGOPODES. COLYMBIDyE. COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, LiimseUS.* THE RED-THROATED DIVER. Colymhus septentrionalis. The Red-throated Diver is the smallest species of thegenus, as well as the most common ; immature birds espe-cially, and adults with the white throats of the winterplumage in smaller numbers, being found on the coasts ofthe British Islands from autumn to spring ; in fact, some* Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 220 (1766). RED-THROATED DIVER. 113 individuals which have not gone northward to breed, may bemet with out at sea in every month of the year. Mr. Gat-combe writes that he remembers two regular invasions ofthis species after severe cold, the bays, estuaries, and creeksof South Devon and Cornwall being full of these happened in each case just before spring, when all werein winter or immature plumage ; but some remained untilthey had assumed the lead-coloured neck and red throat ofthe nuptial dress, in which they are comparatively rare inthe south. This Diver is
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Keywords: ., bookauthorsaun, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectbirds
