230 GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 



tonishing 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 mas- 

 ter 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 experi- 

 enced, in a winter voyage on the southern coasts of the United 

 States. 



This species seldom visits the shores of Britain, except in 

 very severe winters; but it is met with in the north of Europe, 

 and spreads along the arctic coast as far as the mouth of the 

 river Ob, in the dominions of Russia. It is found about Spitz- 

 bergen, Iceland and Hudson's Bay. Makes its nest, in the more 

 northern regions, on the little isles of fresh water lakes; every 

 pair keep a lake to themselves. It sees well, flies very high, 

 and, darting obliquely, falls secure into its nest. Appears in 

 Greenland in April or the beginning of May; and goes away 

 in September or October, on the first fall of snow. * It is also 

 found at Nootka Soundt, and Kamtschatka. 



The Barabinzians, a nation situated between the river Ob 

 and the Irtisch, in the Russian dominions, tan the breasts of this 

 and other water fowl, whose skins they prepare in such a man- 

 ner as to preserve the down upon them; and, sewing a number 

 of these together, they sell them to make pelises, caps, &c. 

 Garments made of these are very warm, never imbibing the 

 least moisture; and are more lasting than could be imagined. 



The natives of Greenland use the skins for clothing; and the 

 Indians about Hudson's Bay adorn their heads with circlets of 

 their feathers. IF 



Lewis and Clark's party, at the mouth of the Columbia, saw 

 robes made of the skins of Loons;** and abundance of these birds 

 during the time that they wintered at Fort Clatsop on that river.tt 



* Pennant. f Cook's last voy. ii, p. 237, Am. ed. 



Latham. q Arctic Zoology. 



** Gass's Journal. ft History of the Expedition, vol. ii, p. 189. 



