Birds of Massachusetts. 257 
Rock, as it is called, a large rocky island, is en- 
tirely whitened with the plumage of the females on 
their nests, while the crowds hovering over and 
around it, appear like a driving snow storm. While 
thus engaged, they were easily approached, and were 
not alarmed even at the discharge of a gun, the 
meaning of which most sea-birds fully understand. 
They are seen on our eastern coasts in the autumn, 
and perhaps at other seasons of the year. They are 
not observed to dive on any alarm, nor for the sake 
of procuring food. 
The Loon, or Great Nortuern Diver, Colymbus 
glacialis, is not an uncommon bird. It spends the 
breeding season in the fur countries, the British 
provinces, and probably in the most northern part of 
the states. On the approach of winter, they migrate, 
to escape the severity of the winter, most of their 
young going to the south; but some remaining in 
the vicinity of Chesapeake Bay. They are shy 
and watchful birds. They breed in the most retired 
places which they can find, in rocky islets or the 
borders of lakes; and as soon as the young are able 
to travel, the parent conducts them to the sea. They 
are active and unwearied in diving, and have the 
power of swimming under water almost as fast as 
they can fly in the air. In the day time they ap- 
pear to dislike the bright sunshine, and are most 
active and animated at the approach of night. ‘Their 
call is loud and dismal, particularly disagreeable to 
seamen, because it is thought to portend a storm ; 
VOL. LNO: I.—H. 33 s 
