GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 033 



They 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 difiererent species; for of several specimens which we ex- 

 amined, 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 

 Dictionary of Montagu, I find, upon this subject, the following 

 remarks, which should seem to put the question at rest respect- 

 ing 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 in- 

 ches. A young female, before the plumage was perfected, weigh- 

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

 in length. 



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

 months, which gave us an opportunity of attending to its man- 

 ners. 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 inces- 

 santly diving, discover all the fish that was thrown into the 

 pond. In defect of fish it would eat flesh. 



(t 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, rubbing the breast against 

 the ground; and it. returned again to the water in a similar man- 



VOL. III. H h 



