(40 
Plenty of marine birds, besides the Ducks, are found upon our 
waters. An abundant species is the Great Northern Diver or 
Loon, a bird about as big as a goose, remarkable for its extraordi¬ 
nary powers of diving and swimming under water. It dives 
instantly at the flash of a gun and comes up again several hun¬ 
dred yards oft', after being under water a minute or more. Be¬ 
sides being common on the sea coast, this bird is almost 
always to be seen, in small numbers, on the lakes of northern 
New England and New York, where it is known to breed. 
We have also numerous varieties of Gulls and Terns, the latter 
being usually called Mackerel Gulls. In summer there are the 
Common Mackerel Gullor Wilson’s Tern which breeds plentifully, 
and several other species, while the larger Gulls are seen more 
particularly in the colder months. Stormy Petrels or Mother 
Carey’s chickens are found as well, the particular variety being 
probably Leach’s Petrel. 
The Cormorant, a shy bird, very expert at catching fish, is com¬ 
mon in winter. The Shearwaters, a family of birds resembling 
the Petrels, are met with oft' the coast. Specimens of the Little 
Auk and the Puffin, if I am not mistaken, have been found here, 
and several of the birds called Briinnich’s Guillemot have been shot 
this winter up the bay. From the sketch I have given, although I 
have not nearly exhausted the list of Newport birds, it is very evident 
that there is much here to occupy the student of ornithology, cer¬ 
tainly one of the most interesting branches of natural history—the 
pursuit of which quickens our powers of observation, affords an 
object for pleasant and healthful out-door excursions, besides 
making us familiar with a most attractive part of the animal crea¬ 
tion. 
