COLYMBUS, in ornithology, a genus belonging to the order of auferes. The bill has no teeth, is subulated, straight, and sharp-pointed; the teeth are in the throat; the nostrils are linear, and at the base of the bill; and the legs are unfit for walking. This genus includes the divers, guillemots, and grebes; of which the following are the most remarkable species.
1. The grylle, or black guillemot, is in length 14 inches, in breadth 22; the bill is an inch and an half long, straight, slender, and black; the inside of the mouth red; on each wing is a large bed of white, which in young birds is spotted; the tips of the lesser quill-feathers, and the coverts of the wings, are white: except those, the whole plumage is black. In winter it is said to change to white; and a variety spotted with black and white is not uncommon in Scotland. The tail consists of 12 feathers; the legs are red. These birds are found on the Bass ills in Scotland; in the island of St Kilda; and, as Mr Ray imagines, in the Farm Islands off the coast of Northumberland. It has also been seen on the rocks of Llandidno, in Caernarvonshire, in Wales. Except in breeding-time it keeps always at sea; and is very difficult to be shot, diving at the flash of the pan. The Welsh call this bird cafan longur, or "the tailor's hatred," from a notion that its appearance forebodes a storm. It visits St Kilda's in March; makes its nest far under ground; and lays a grey egg, or, as
Steller says, whitish and spotted with rust, and speckled Columbus, with ash-colour.
2. The troile, or foolish guillemot, weighs 24 ounces: its length is 17 inches, the breadth 27; the bill is three inches long, black, straight, and sharp-pointed; near the end of the lower mandible is a small process; the inside of the mouth yellow; the feathers on the upper part of the bill are short and soft like velvet; from the eye to the hind part of the head is a small division of the feathers. The head, neck, back, wings, and tail, are of a deep mouse-colour; the tips of the lesser quill-feathers white; the whole under part of the body is of a pure white; the sides under the wings marked with dusky lines. Immediately above the thighs are some long feathers that curl over them. The legs are dusky. They are found in amazing numbers on the high cliffs of several of the British coasts, and appear at the same time with the auk. They are very simple birds: for notwithstanding they are shot at, and let their companions killed by them, they will not quit the rock. Like the auk they lay only one egg, which is very large: some are of a fine pale blue; others white, spotted, or most elegantly streaked with lines, crossing each other in all directions. They continue about the Orkneys the whole winter. The chief places they are known to breed in are the uninhabited ills of Priestholm, near the ills of Anglesey; on a rock called Godrev, not far from St Ives in Cornwall; the Farm ills, near the coast of Northumberland; and the cliffs about Scarborough in Yorkshire. They are also found in most of the northern parts of Europe, to Spitzbergen, the coast of Lapmark, and along the white and icy sea quite to Kamtschatka. Is frequently met with on the coasts of Italy in the winter. It is also known in Newfoundland, and in a few parts of the continent of North America, but has not hitherto been talked of as common. Our last voyagers met with it on the coast north of Nootka Sound. It is known by several names; by the Welch, guillem; at Northumberland and Durham, guillemot or sea-hen; in Yorkshire, a scow; by the Cornish, kiddah; in the southern parts, swillock; and in Kamtschatka, ara or kara. The inhabitants of the last kill them in numbers for the sake of their flesh, though it is certainly very tough and ill tasted; but more especially for their skins, of which, as of other fowls, they make garments: the eggs are also accounted a great delicacy.
3. The septentrionalis, or red-throated diver, is more elegantly shaped than the others. It weighs three pounds. The length to the end of the tail is two feet; to the toes two feet four inches: the breadth three feet five inches. The head is small and taper, the bill straight; the head and chin are of a fine uniform grey; the hind part of the neck marked with dusky and white lines pointing downwards; the throat is of a dull red; the whole upper part of the body, tail, and wings, of a deep grey, almost dusky; but the coverts of the wings and the back are marked with a few white spots; the under side of the body is white; the legs dusky. This species breeds in the northern parts of Scotland, on the borders of the lakes. It is found also in Russia, Siberia, and Kamtschatka; but does not haunt the inland lakes. It is common in Ice-land
Colymbus land and Greenland, where it breeds in June, and lays two ash-coloured eggs, marked with a few black spots; it makes its nest in the grass on the shores, composed of moss and grass, and placed contiguous to the water. It swims and dives well, and flies admirably, and while flying is very noisy. It feeds on small fish, crabs, and sea insects. In the summer, it inhabits the rivers of Hudson's bay, appearing as soon as the rivers are open. Here it lays in June, and lines the nest with a little down from its own breast; the young fly before the end of August, and they all depart in September. They are called by the natives affec-moqua. They prey much on the fish entangled in the nets; but are often thereby caught themselves.
4. The arcticus, or black-throated diver, is somewhat larger than the last: the bill is black, and also the front; the hind part of the head and neck cinereous; the sides of the neck marked with black and white lines pointing downwards; the fore-part of a glossy variable black, purple, and green. The back, scapulars, and coverts of the wings, are black, marked, the two first with square, the last with round spots of white; the quill-feathers dusky; the breast and belly white; the tail short and black; legs partly dusky, and partly reddish. This species is now and then found in England, but is not common. It is sufficiently plenty in the northern parts of Europe, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Frequent in the inland lakes of Siberia, especially those of the arctic regions; in Iceland, Greenland, and the Ferroc Isles; and in America at Hudson's bay. It is supposed to cry and be very restless before rain, making a great noise: hence the Norwegians think it impious to destroy this species; but the Swedes, less superstitious, dress their skins, which, like all of this genus, are exceedingly tough, and use them for gun-cases and facings for winter caps.
5. The glacialis, or northern diver, is three feet five inches in length; the breadth four feet eight; the bill to the corners of the mouth four inches long, black and strongly made. The head and neck are of a deep black; the hind part of the latter is marked with a large femilunar white band; immediately under the throat is another; both marked with black oblong strokes pointing down: the lower part of the neck is of a deep black, glossed with a rich purple; the whole under side of the body is white; the sides of the breast marked with black lines; the back, coverts of the wings, and scapulars, are black marked with white spots; those on the scapulars are very large, and of a square shape; two at the end of each feather. The tail is very short, and almost concealed by the coverts, which are dusky, spotted with white; the legs are black. This species inhabits several parts of the north of Europe, but is not very frequent on our shores; nor ever seen southward except in very severe winters. It is seldom met with on land, being for the most part on the open sea, where it is continually diving for fish, which it does with great agility, and flies high and well. It is common in Iceland and Greenland, where it breeds, and at that time frequents the fresh waters. It is sufficiently plentiful in Norway, and all along the arctic coasts, as far as the river Ob, in the Russian dominions. The Barabinzians, a nation situated between that river and the Irftich, tan the breasts of this and other water-fowl; whose skins they prepare in such a manner as to pre-
serve the down upon them; and sewing a number of Colymbus them together, their husbands sell them, to make pellics, caps, &c. Garments made of these are very warm, never imbibing the least moisture; and are more lasting than could be imagined. It is also met with among the lakes of Hudson's bay. The natives of Greenland use the skins for clothing; and the Indians about Hudson's bay adorn their heads with circlets of their feathers. At the last place it is known by the name of athinue-moqua. As they are seldom seen on the sea-coasts, but chiefly among the lakes, they are called by the Indians inland loons.
6. The immer, or ember-goose, is superior in size to a common goose. The head is dusky; the back, coverts of the wings, and tail, clouded with lighter and darker shades of the same. The primaries and tail are black; the under side of the neck spotted with dusky; the breast and belly silvery; the legs black. They inhabit the seas about the Orkney Islands; but in severe winters visit the southern parts of Great Britain. They are found also in Iceland, and most parts of northern Europe; likewise in Kamtschatka; but not in any parts of Siberia or Russia. It likewise inhabits Switzerland, particularly on the lake Constance, where it is known by the name of studer. It is said to dive wonderfully well, and to rise at an amazing distance from the place where it plunged. The female makes its nest among the reeds and flags, and places it in the water; so that it is continually wet, as in some of the grebe genus. It is difficult to be taken, either on land or swimming on the water; but is not unfrequently caught under the water by a hook baited with a small fish, its usual food.
7. The Chinese diver, described by Mr Latham; the size uncertain, but in the drawing the length was 14 inches. The bill dusky: irides ash-colour: the upper parts of the head, neck, body, wings, and tail, dusky greenish brown; the middle of the feathers much darker: the fore part of the neck the same, but considerably paler: chin pale rufous: breast and under parts of the body pale rufous white, marked with dusky rufous spots: the quills and tail are plain brown, the last short: legs ash-colour. Supposed to inhabit China, as Mr Latham saw it among other well painted drawings at Sir Joseph Banks's; it was in the attitude of fishing, with a brass ring round the middle of the neck, in the manner of the figure, Plate CXXVI. From the various and uncertain accounts of authors, we are not clear what birds the Chinese use for catching fish; the custom, however, of doing it is manifest, from the relations of many travellers. The bird used for this purpose has a ring fastened round the middle of the neck, in order to prevent its swallowing; besides this it has a slender long string fastened to it; and, thus accoutred, is taken by its master into his fishing-boat, from the edge of which it is taught to plunge after the fish as they pass by; and as the ring prevents their passing further downwards, they are taken from the mouth of the bird as fast as they are caught. In this manner sometimes a great many are procured in the course of a few hours. When the keeper of the bird has taken sufficient for himself, the ring is taken off, and the poor slave suffered to satisfy its own hunger. We do not here give this bird as the one most commonly used for the above purpose; but have
Columbus have thought right to figure it, as a species, if not new, at least as not generally known; and probably, from the circumstance of its situation in the painting, may prove one of the birds used on this occasion.
8. The stellatus, or speckled diver, a species less than the former, weighs two pounds and a half; and is 27 inches in length and three feet nine in breadth. The bill is three inches long, bending a trifle upwards; and is of a pale horn-colour, the top of the upper mandible dusky; the head is dusky, dotted with grey; hind part of the neck plain dusky; the sides under the eye, the chin, and throat, white; fore part of the neck very pale ash-colour; back dusky, marked with oval spots of white; sides of the breast and body the same, but smaller; the spots on the rump and tail minute; breast and under parts white; quills dusky; legs brown; webs and claws pale. This bird is pretty frequent in England; sufficiently so on the river Thames, where it is called by the fishermen spat loon, being often seen in vast numbers among the shoals of that fish, diving after them, and frequently approaching very near the boats while fishing. It is common about the Baltic and the White Sea, but not observed in other parts of Russia, yet is a native of Kamtschatka. It lays two eggs, in the grass, on the borders of lakes not far from the sea; they are exactly oval, the size of those of a goose, dusky, marked with a few black spots. These are also frequent about the fish ponds in France, except they are frozen, when they betake themselves to the rivers. This and the two last visit New York in winter, but return very far north to breed.
9. The cristatus, crested diver, or cargoose, weighs two pounds and an half. Its length is 21 inches, the breadth 30; the bill is two inches and a quarter long, red at the base, and black at the point; between the bill and the eyes is a stripe of black naked skin; the irides are of a fine pale red; the tongue is a third part shorter than the bill, slender, hard at the end, and a little divided; on the head is a large dusky crest, separated in the middle. The cheeks and throat are surrounded with a long pendent ruff, of a bright tawney colour, edged with black; the chin is white; from the bill to the eye is a black line, and above that a white one; the hind part of the neck and the back are of a footy hue; the rump, for it wants a tail, is covered with long soft down. The covert-feathers on the second and third joints of the wing, and the under coverts, are white; all the other wing-feathers, except the secondaries, are dusky, those being white; the breast and belly are of a most beautiful silvery white, glossy as satin: the outside of the legs and the bottom of the feet are dusky; the inside of the legs and the toes of a pale green. These birds frequent the meres of Shropshire and Cheshire, where they breed; and the great fen of Lincolnshire, where they are called gaunts. Their skins are made into tippets, and sold at as high a price as those which come from Geneva. This species lays four eggs of a white colour, and the same size with those of a pigeon. The nest is formed of the roots of hughane, stalks of water-lily, pond-weed, and water-violet, floating independent among the reeds and flags; the water penetrates it, and the bird sits and hatches the eggs in that wet condition; the nest is sometimes blown from among the flags into the middle of the water: in these circumstances the fable
of the halcyon's nest may, in some measure, be vindicated. It is a careful nurse of its young; being observed to feed them most assiduously, commonly with small eels; and when the infant brood are tired, the parent will carry them either on its back or under its wings. It preys on fish, and is almost perpetually diving; it does not show much more than the head above water; and is very difficult to be shot, as it darts down on the least appearance of danger. It is never seen on land; and, though disturbed ever so often, will not fly farther than the end of the lake. Its skin is out of season about February, losing then its bright colour; and in the breeding time its breast is almost bare. The flesh is excessively rank.
10. The urinator, or tippet-grebe, thought by Mr Latham not to be a different species from the former, being only somewhat less, and wanting the crest and ruff. The sides of the neck are striped downwards from the head with narrow lines of black and white: in other respects the colours and marks agree with that bird. This species has been shot on Roslen Mere in Cheshire. It is rather scarce in England, but is common in the winter time on the lake of Geneva. They appear there in flocks of 10 or 12; and are killed for the sake of their beautiful skins. The under side of them being dressed with the feathers on, are made into muffs and tippets: each bird sells for about 14 shillings.
11. The auritus, eared grebe, or dob-click, is in length one foot to the rump; the extent is 22 inches; the bill black, slender, and slightly recurved; the irides crimson; the head and neck are black; the throat spotted with white; the whole upper side of a blackish brown, except the ridge of the wing about the first joint, and the secondary feathers, which are white; the breast, belly, and inner coverts of the wings are white; the subaxillary feathers, and some on the side of the rump, ferruginous. Behind the eyes, on each side, is a tuft of long, loose, rust coloured feathers hanging backwards; the legs are of a dusky green. They inhabit the fens near Spalding where they breed. No external difference is to be observed between the male and the female of this species. They make their nest not unlike that of the former; and lay four or five small eggs.
12. The horned grebe, is about the size of a teal; weight, one pound; length, one foot; breadth, 16 inches. Bill one inch, dusky; head very full of feathers, and of a glossy deep green, nearly black: thro' each eye is a streak of yellow feathers, elongated into a tuft as it passes to the hind head: the upper part of the neck and back is a dusky brown; the fore part of the neck and breast, dark orange red; the lesser wing coverts, cinereous; the greater and quills, black; middle ones, white; belly, glossy white; legs, cinereous blue before, pale behind.—It inhabits Hudson's bay; and first appears in May, about the fresh waters. It lays from two to four white eggs in June, among the aquatic plants; and is said to cover them when abroad. It retires south in autumn; appears then at New York, staying till spring, when it returns to the north. For its vast quickness in diving, it is called the water-witch. At Hudson's bay, it is known by the name of seekap. See Plate CXLIII.