234 
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 
iier. In swimming and diving,* only the legs are used, and 
not the wings, as in the Guillemot and Auk tribes; and by their 
situation 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 asto- 
nishing quickness.”t 
* 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 vi- 
sible motion, hence the presumption is, that then* only use is to balance the 
body. 
t From Mr. Ord’s supplementary volume. 
