398 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



snow storm. While thus engaged, they were easily approached, 

 and were not alarmed even at the discharge of a gun, the 

 meaning of which most sea-birds fully understand. They are 

 seen on our eastern coasts in the autumn, and perhaps at other 

 seasons of the year. They are not observed to dive on any 

 alarm, nor for the sake of procuring food. 



The Loon, or Great Northern Diver, Colymbus glacialis, 

 ir not an uncommon bird. It spends the breeding season in 

 the fur countries, the British provinces, and probably in the 

 most northern part of the states. On the approach of win- 

 ter, they migrate, to escape the severity of the winter, most 

 of their young going to the south ; but some remaining in the 

 vicinity of Chesapeake Bay. They are shy and watchful 

 birds. They breed in the most retired places which they can 

 find, in rocky islets or the borders of lakes ; and as soon as the 

 young are able to travel, the parent conducts them to the sea. 

 They are active and unwearied in diving, and have the power 

 of swimming under water almost as fast as they can fly in the 

 air. In the day time they appear to dislike the bright sun- 

 shine, and are most active and animated at the approach of 

 night. Their call is loud and dismal, particularly disagreeable 

 to seamen, because it is thought to portend a storm ; it is so 

 powerful that it can be distinctly heard, when the bird is so 

 distant as to be almost invisible in the air. This bird is offered 

 for sale in our markets ; but its flesh is tough and unpalatable. 



The Black-throated Diver, Colymbus arcticus, is, as its 

 name denotes, a northern bird, and is more rare on our coast 

 than the preceding ; but I am assured, on the authority of Au- 

 dubon, that it is sometimes seen in our State. 



The Red-throated Diver, Colymbus septentrionalis, is 

 found on the coast of the United States in autumn, winter, and, 

 it may be said, in spring ; though they retire to the north 

 before the snows are gone. The old birds are rarely seen at 

 the south of Boston bay ; but the young, more affected by the 



