67 
they are remarkable for their agility ; they 
also dive to a great depth in pursuit of their 
prey, or when alarmed, and will continue 
for an amazing time under water, emerg- 
ing at a considerable distance. They fre- 
quent fresh water lakes and inlets of rivers, 
as well as the ocean, to which they are 
obliged to resort in severe seasons, when 
the former are bound up by the ice. No 
cold or damp can penetrate their thick close 
plumage, which looks as if it were glazed 
on the surface, and by which they are ena- 
bled, while they have open water, to brave 
the rigour of the coldest winter. They can 
take wing from the water, or drop from an 
eminence, and fly with great swiftness to a 
considerable distance; but, when they hap- 
pen to alight on the land, are very helpless, 
for they cannot either rise from the flat sur- 
face of the ground, or make much progress 
in walking upon it. On shore they sit 
with the body erect, commonly upon the 
whole length of their legs, and, in attempt- 
ing to regain the water, they aukwardly 
waddle forward in the same position ; and 
if, by any interruption, they happen to fall 
VOL. III. K 
