44 GREAT NORTHERN DIVER OR LOON. 
viduals, which are better able to withstand the cold and tempests of 
the wintry season. | 
The migratory movements of this bird seem to be differently ma- 
naged in the spring and autumn. In the latter case, a great number of 
young Loons are seen to alight on the head waters of our great streams, 
on which, without much exertion, being aided by the current, they 
float along, diving at intervals in pursuit of the numerous fishes, as 
they proceed toward milder climes. The few old birds which, at a 
later date, appear on the same water-courses, frequently take to wing, 
and shorten their way by flying at a considerable elevation directly 
across the great bends or peninsulas. These modes of travelling are 
also adopted by those which advance along the Atlantic coasts, where, 
indeed, the birds have the double advantage of meeting with food and 
obtaining repose, on the rivers and on the sea. I think, however, that 
this maritime course is followed only by such of the Loons as have 
bred in the more immediate vicinity of the coast. But whether you 
are in the interior, or on the coast, it is seldom that you see at a time 
more than one Loon travelling at this season; whereas, in spring, they 
proceed in pairs, the male taking the lead, as is easily ascertained by 
observing that the bird in the rear is the smallest. 
Although its wings are rather small, its flight is strong and rapid, 
so that it is enabled to traverse a large extent of country on wing. 
When travelling, or even when only raised from its nest, it moves 
through the air with all the swiftness of the other species of its tribe, 
generally passing directly from one point to another, however distant 
it may be. Its long transits are at times performed at so great an ele- 
vation, that its form can scarcely be distinguished, and yet, even then, 
in calm weather, the noise of its wings striking the air comes distinctly 
on your ear. I have seen them thus, on their way towards Labrador, 
passing over the head waters of the Bay of Fundy, to cross the Gulf 
of St Lawrence. Whenever it chances to alight on the water, in the 
course of its long journeys, it almost immediately dives, as if to taste 
the water, and judge whether it contains food suited to its appetite. 
On emerging, and after haying somewhat raised the fore part of its 
body, shaken its wings, and by a strong shiver rearranged its plumage, 
it emits its loud echoing call-note, to induce, perchance, some travel- 
ler of its tribe to alight for awhile, that they may communicate to each 
other their experience of the past, or their hopes of the future. There 
