Tue Divine Birps. 279 
eleven species. Of these, the Red-throated Loon is 
not common in the Middle States, but is found along 
the coast. It breeds in the far north. It has been 
found on the Delaware in midwinter (young birds), 
and probably was carried by strong winds across the 
State, rather than followed up the course of the river 
from its mouth. 
The Loon, or “ Great Northern Diver,” by which 
name it appears to be known only in the books, is 
black and white and as big as a goose. Once seen, 
therefore, it cannot be mistaken. It is a migratory 
bird principally, but breeds in the United States, 
along the northern tier of States. But its migratory 
movements are not very regular,—that is, the lines of 
its travel may vary a little; and of one matter con- 
cerning them there can be no doubt: they do not 
all go northward to spend the summer. The loon is 
seen on the upper Delaware River, sparingly, every 
summer. In 1893 I saw them in tide-water as late 
as June (first week), and again in the first week of 
September. 
George Ord says,— 
‘The Loon is restless before a storm; and an experienced master 
of a coasting vessel informed me that he always knew when a tempest 
was approaching by the cry of this bird, which is very shrill, and 
may be heard at the distance of a mile or more. The correctness 
of this observation I have myself since experienced in a winter 
voyage on the southern coasts of the United States.” 
Occasionally the loons will leave the rivers and take 
up their quarters in some retired mill-pond. Of 
course they are soon discovered and shot at until 
killed or worried to death. Such loons have their 
