LOON; GREAT NORTHERN DIVER
7. Gavia immer. 31 to 35 inches.
In form, loons resemble large grebes, but their feet are full webbed
like those of a duck; they have short, stiff tails and long, heavy,
pointed bills. They have no tufts or ruffs in breeding season, but their
plumage changes greatly. The common loon is very beautifully and
strikingly marked with black and white above, and white below; the head
is black, with a crescent across the throat and a ring around the neck.
In winter, they are plain gray above and white below.
Loons are fully as expert in diving and swimming as are the grebes. They
are usually found in larger, more open bodies of water.
Notes.—A loud, quavering, drawn-out “wah-hoo-o-o.”
Nest.—Sometimes built of sticks, and sometimes simply a hollow in the
sand or bank under overhanging bushes, usually on an island. The 2 eggs
are brownish with a few black specks (3.50 × 2.25).
Range.—N. A., breeding from northern U. S. northwards; winters from
northern U. S. southwards.
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BLACK-THROATED LOON
9. Gavia arctica. 28 inches.
This loon lives in the Arctic regions and only rarely is found, in
winter, in Northern United States. In summer, it can readily be
distinguished from the common loon by the gray crown and hind-neck, as
well as by different arrangement of the black and white markings. In
winter, they are quite similar to the last species but can be recognized
by their smaller size, and can be distinguished from the winter plumaged
Red-throated Loon by the absence of any white markings on the back. Like
the grebes, loons have to run over the surface of the water in order to
take flight, and they are practically helpless when on land. Their
flight is very rapid, in a straight line, and their neck is carried at
full length in front. This species has red eyes, as do all the other
loons.
Nest.—The same as the last species, but the two eggs have more of an
olive tint and are smaller (3.10 × 2.00).
Range.—Arctic America, wintering in Canada and occasionally in Northern
United States.
[Illustration: ]
RED-THROATED LOON
11. Gavia stellata. 25 inches.
Besides being smaller than the common loon, this species has a more
slender bill, which has a slightly up-turned appearance owing to the
straight top to the upper mandible; in summer, its back and head are
gray, with no white spots, although the back of the head has a few white
streaks; there is a large patch of chestnut on the fore-neck; the under
parts are white. In winter, it is gray above and white below, but the
back is sprinkled with small white spots; at this season it can easily
be distinguished from Holbœll Grebe by the absence of any white patch in
the wings as well as by the differently shaped feet.
Nest.—A depression in the sand or ground, not more than a foot or two
from the water’s edge, so they can slide from their two eggs into their
natural element. The eggs, which are laid in June, are olive-brown,
specked with black (2.90 × 1.75).
Range.—Breeds from New Brunswick and Manitoba north to the Arctic Ocean;
winters throughout the United States.
[Illustration: ]