GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, OR LOON. 25 !) 
In the account which some of the European orni- 
thologists give ot their northern diver, n-e presume 
there is an inaccuracy. They say it measures three 
t«et six inches in length, and four feet eight iu breadth, 
*«id weighs sixteen pounds. If this he a correct state- 
hient, it would lead to the surmise that our diver is a 
different species ; for of several specimens which we 
"Varained, the best and largest has been described 
h(r this work, the admeasurement of which bird comes 
*'onsidei-ably short of that of the European mentioned 
*hove. Tlie weight, as has been stated, was eieht 
pounds and a half. 
According to Tcmminck, the adult male and female 
alike iu plumage. All the females ivhich have 
Passed under my examination differed from the old 
*dalcs ; aud it is the universal opinion among our 
■'“Portsinen who reside ou the coast, where the loons are 
^inmou, that the adults of both sexes may always be 
d^tinguished by their garb. However, in confirmation 
Temminck’s opinion, I can adduce the authority of 
de Prince of Muaignano, Chai'les Lucian Bonajiarte. 
l^ho has informed me, that he has in his collection a 
.*uiale which was shot in the Delaware, and whicli differs 
no respect from the adult male. 
On a ro-examination of the Supplement to the 
^>nithological Dictionary of Montagu, I find upon this 
*'‘»jcct the following remarks, which should seem to 
the question at rest respecting the identity of the 
j^*'ropean and American species:—" It should appear 
the sine of this species has been commonly exag- 
or they must vary very materially, since those 
, bich have come under our examination did not exceed 
j, pounds; and an old or matured male measured only 
,*'0 feet eight inches. A young female, before the 
^ J^ugewas perfected, weighed eight pounds six ounces, 
u measured two feet seven inches iu length, 
f A northern diver, taken alive, was ke])t in a pond 
4tt months, which gave us an opportunity of 
,,j^®'oling to its manners. In a few days it became 
wemely docile, would come at the call from one side 
