GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 
215 
my examination, differed from the old males ; and it is the uni- 
versal opinion among our sportsmen who reside on the coast, 
where the loons are common, that the adults of both sexes may 
always be distinguished by their garb. However, in confirma- 
tion of Temminck’s opinion, I can adduce the authority of the 
Prince of Musignano, Charles Lucian Bonaparte, who has 
informed me, that he has in his collection a female which was 
shot in the Delaware, and which differs in no respect from the 
adult male. 
On a re-examination of the Supplement to the Ornithological 
Dictionary of Montagu, I find upon this subject the following 
remarks, which should seem to put the question at rest respect- 
ing the identity of the European and American species : — It 
should appear that the size of this species has been commonly 
exaggerated, 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 per- 
fected, 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 impaired ; but, notwithstanding, it 
could, by incessantly diving, discover 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 itHn capable 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 manner. In swimming and diving, only the legs are 
