256 
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 
marks, which should seem to put the question at rest respecting 
the identity of the European and American species : “ It should 
appear that the size of this species has been commonly exaggerat- 
ed, or they must vary very materially, since those which have 
come under our examination did not exceed ten pounds; and an 
old or matured male measured only two feet eight inches. A young 
female, before the plumage was perfected, weighed eight pounds 
six ounces, and measured two feet seven inches in length. 
“ A Northern Diver taken alive, was kept in a pond for some 
months, which gave us an opportunity of attending to its manners. 
In a few days it became extremely docile, would come at the call, 
from one side of the pond to the other, and would take food from 
the hand. The bird had received an injury in the head, which 
had deprived one eye of its sight, and the other was a little im- 
paired, but notwithstanding, it could by incessantly diving, disco- 
ver all the fish that was thrown into the pond. In defect of fish it 
would eat flesh. 
“ It is observable that the legs of this bird are so constructed 
and situated, as to render it incapable of walking upon them. This 
is probably the case with all the divers, as well as the grebes. 
“ When this bird quitted the water, it shoved its body along 
upon the ground, like a seal, by jerks, rubbing the breast against 
the ground; and it returned again to the water in a similar man- 
ner. In swimming and diving,* only the legs are used, and not 
the wings, as in the guillemot and auk tribes ; and by their situa- 
tion so far behind, and their little deviation from the line of the 
body, the bird is enabled to propel itself in the water with great 
velocity in a straight line, as well as turn with astonishing quick- 
ness.” 
* I have never seen this bird diving in pursuit of fish, but I have seen it in the act of 
diving to avoid danger, and took notice that its wings, when beneath the surface of the water, 
did not lie close to the body, but they were not as much extended as when in the act of flying. 
They had no visible motion, hence the presumption is that their only use is to balance the body. 
