FAMILY XXVL 
PY GOP ODE Si Illiger. 
GENUS 'LXWU.l.—COLYMBUS, Linkjeus. 
291 . COLYMBVS GLAClALISy LINN^.US AND WILSON. 
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, OR LOON.* 
I ^^^-SON, PLATE LXXIV. FIG. III. — EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
This bird in Pennsylvania is migratory. In the 
I J®tumn it makes its appearance with the various feathered 
I ‘'i'jes that frequent our waters ; and, when the streams 
obstructed with ice, it departs for the Southern 
^^tes.f In the months of March and April it is again 
and, after lingering awhile, it leaves us for the 
^'•'■pose of breeding. The loons are found along the 
I?*st as well as in the interior ; but in the summer 
r®y retire to the fresh water lakes and ponds. We 
never heard that they breed in Pennsylvania, but 
ja said they do in Missibisci pond, near Boston, 
^^sachusetts. The female lays two large brownish 
fes. They are commonly seen in pairs, and procure 
!?'^>r food, which is fish, in the deepest water of our 
ysts, diving after it, and continuing under for a length 
lime. Being a wary bird, it is seldom they are killed, 
.‘•tding their pursuers by their astonishing faculty of 
^ting. They seem averse from flying, and are but 
®idom seen on the wing. They are never eaten, 
o The loon is restless before a storm ; and an expe- 
i^&ced master of a coasting vessel informed me, that 
V® always knew when a tempest was approaching 
the cry of this bird, which is very shrill, and may 
® heard at the distance of a mile or more. The 
* This article is by Mr Ord. 
t The loon is said to winter in the Chesapeake Bay. 
