430 COLYMBDm 



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 probably 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, rub- 

 bing the breast against the ground ; and returned again to 

 the water in a similar manner. In swimming and diving, 

 the legs only are used, and not the wings, as in the Guille- 

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

 and their little deviation from the line of the body, it is 

 enabled to propel itself in the water with great velocity 

 in a straight line, as well as turn with astonishing quick- 

 ness." 



Mr. Thomas Nuttall, of Boston, who kept one for some 

 time, gives the following account of its manners while in 

 his possession : " A young bird of this species which I 

 obtained in the Salt Marsh at Chelsea Beach, and trans- 

 ferred to a fish-pond, made a good deal of plaint, and would 

 sometimes wander out of his more natural element, and 

 hide and bask in the grass. On these occasions he lay 

 very still until nearly approached, and then slid into the 

 pond and uttered his usual plaint. When out at a dis- 

 tance he made the same cautious efforts to hide, and would 

 commonly defend himself in great anger, by darting at the 

 intruder, and striking powerfully with his dagger-like bill. 

 This bird with a pink-coloured iris, like Albinos, appeared 

 to suffer from the glare of broad daylight, and was inclined 

 to hide from its effects, but became very active towards 



