234 GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 



ner. In swimming and diving,* only the legs are used, and 

 not the wings, as in the Guillemot and Auk tribes; and by their 

 situation so far behind, and their little deviation from the line 

 of the body, the bird is enabled to propel itself in the water 

 with great velocity in a straight line, as well as turn with asto- 

 nishing quickness."! 



* I have never seen this bird diving in pursuit of fish, but I have seen it 

 in the act of diving to avoid danger, and took notice, that its wings, when 

 beneath the surface of the water, did not lie close to the body, but they 

 were not as much extended as when in the act of flying. They had no vi- 

 sible motion, hence the presumption is, that their only use is to balance the 

 body. 



f From Mr. Ord's supplementary volume. 



