32 GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 



In the account which some of the European ornithologists give of 

 their Northern Diver, we presume there is an inaccuracy. Thej say- 

 it measures three feet six inches in length, and four feet eight in breadth ; 

 and weighs sixteen pounds. If this be a correct statement, it would 

 lead to the surmise that our Diver is a different species ; for of several 

 specimens which we examined, the best and largest has been described 

 for this work, the admeasurement of which bird comes considerably 

 short of that of the European, mentioned above. The weight, as has 

 been stated, was eight pounds and a half. 



On a re-examination of the Supplement to the Ornithological Dic- 

 tionary of Montagu, I find-, upon this subject, the following remarks, 

 which should seem to put the question at rest respecting the identity of 

 the European and American species : " It should appear that the size 

 of this species has been commonly exaggerated, or they must vary 

 materially, since those which have come under our examination did not 

 exceed ten pounds ; and an old or matured male measured only two 

 feet eight inches. A young female, before the plumage was perfected, 

 weighed eight pounds six, ounces, and measured two feet seven inches 

 in length. 



" A Northern Diver taken alive, was kept in a pond for some monthn, 

 which gave us an opportunity of attending to its manners. In a few 

 days it became extremely docile, would come at the call, from one side 

 of the pond to the other, and would take food from the hand. The 

 bird had received an injury in the head, which had deprived one eye of 

 its sight, and the other was a little impaired, but notwithstanding, it 

 could by incessantly diving, discover all the fish that was thrown into 

 the pond. In defect of fish it would eat flesh. 



" It is observable that the legs of this bird are so constructed and 

 situated, as to render it incapable of walking upon them. This is pro- 

 bably the case with all the divers, as well as the Grebes. 



" When this bird quitted the water, it shoved its body along upon the 

 ground, like a seal, by jerks, rubbing the breast against the ground ; 

 and it returned again to the water in a similar manner. In swimming 

 and diving,* only the legs are used, and not the wings, as in the Guil- 

 lemot and Auk tribes ; and by their situation so far behind, and their 

 little deviation from the line of the body, the bird is enabled to propel 

 itself in the water with great velocity in a straight line, as well as turn 

 with astonishing quickness. "f 



* I have never seen this bird diving in pursuit of fish, but I have seen it in the 

 act of diving to avoid danger, and took notice, that its wings, when beneath the 

 surface of the water, did not lie close to the body, but they were not as much 

 extended as when in the act of flying. They had no visible motion, hence the pre- 

 sumption is, that their only use is to balance the body. 



t From Mr. Ord's supplementary volume. 



