252 
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 
of diving. They seem averse from flying, and are but seldom seen 
on the wing. They are never eaten. 
The Loon is restless before a storm ; and an experienced mas- 
ter of a coasting vessel informed me that he always knew when a 
tempest was approaching by the cry of this bird, which is very 
shrill, and may be heard at the distance of a mile or more. The 
correctness of this observation I have myself since experienced in 
winter voyage on the southern coasts of the United States. 
This species seldom visits the shores of Britain, except in 
very severe winters ; but it is met with in the north of Europe, 
and spreads along the arctic coast as far as the mouth of the river 
Ob, in the dominions of Russia. It is found about Spitzbergen, 
Iceland, and Hudson's Bay. Makes its nest, in the more northern 
I’egions, on the little isles of fresh water lakes ; every pair keep a 
lake to themselves. It sees well, flies very high, and, darting 
obliquely, falls secure into its nest. Appears in Greenland in April 
or the beginning of May; and goes away in September or October, 
on the first fall of snow,^ It is also found at Nootka Sound*|' and 
Kamtschatka. 
The Barabinzians, a nation situated between the river Ob and 
the Irtisch, in the Russian dominions, tan the breasts of this and 
other water fowl, whose skins they prepare in such a manner as 
to preserve the down \ipon them ; and, sewing a number of these 
together, they sell them to make pelises, caps, &c. Garments 
made of these are very warm, never imbibing the least moisture; 
and are more lasting than could be imagined.§ 
The natives of Greenland use the skins for clothing; and the 
Indians about Hudson’s Bay adorn their heads with circlets of their 
feathers.^ 
Lewis and Clark’s party, at the mouth of the Columbia, saw 
Pennant. f Cook’s last voy. ii, p. 237, Am. cd.' § Latham. IT Arctic Zoology. 
