THE LOON. 
159 
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, OR LOON. 
( Colymbus glacialis .) 
This bird in Pennsylvania is migratory. In the autumn, 
it makes its appearance with the various feathered tribes 
that frequent our waters ; and, when the streams are 
obstructed with ice, it departs for the Southern States. In 
the months of March and April, it is again seen, and, after 
lingering a while, it leaves us for the purpose of breeding. 
The Loons are found along the coast, as well as in the inte- 
rior ; but in the summer they retire to the fresh-water lakes 
and ponds. We have never heard that they breed in Penn- 
sylvania, but it is said they do in Missibisci Pond, near 
Boston, Massachusetts. The female lays two large brown- 
ish eggs. They are commonly seen in pairs ; and procure 
their food, which is fish, in the deepest water of our rivers, 
diving after it, and continuing under for a length of time. 
Being a wary bir$, it is seldom they are killed, eluding 
their pursuers by their astonishing faculty 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 
master 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. 
