THE LOOK. 15d 



GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, OR LOON. 

 (^Golymhus glacialis.^ 



rms bird in Pennsylvania is migratory. In the autumn^ 

 n makes its appearance with the various feathered tribes 

 th.*t frequent our waters j and, when the streams are 

 obstructed with ice, it departs for the Southern States. In 

 the months of March and April, it is again seen, and, after 

 lingering a while, it leaves us for the purpose of breeding. 

 The Loons are found along the coast, as well as in the inte- 

 rior 'y but in the summer they retire to the fresh-water lakes 

 and ponds. "We have never heard that they breed in Penn- 

 sylvania, but it is said they do in Missibisci Pond, near 

 Boston, Massachusetts. The female lays two large brown- 

 ish eggs. They are commonly seen in pairs; and procure 

 their food, which is fish, in the deep3st water of our rivers, 

 diving after it, and continuing under for a length of time. 

 Being a wary bird, it is seldom they are killed, eluding 

 their pursuers by their astonishing faculty of diving. They 

 seem averse from flying, and are but seldom seen on the 

 wing. They are never eaten. 



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, a^d may be heard at the distanoe 

 9f a mile or more. 



