Grebes in diving
and disappear at the flash of a gun.

[Illustration 019: EGG OF LOON. Dark greenish brown.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 18

7. LOON. _Gavia immer._

Range.--North America north of the Mexican boundary, breeding from the
northern parts of the United States northward.

Unlike the Grebes, Loons do not build in colonies, generally not more
than one, or at the most two pairs nesting on the same lake or pond;
neither do they seek the marshy sloughs in which Grebes dwell,
preferring the more open, clear bodies of water. The common Loon may be
known in summer by the entirely black head and neck with the complete
ribbon of black and white stripes encircling the lower neck and the
narrower one which crosses the throat. The back is spotted with white.
In some sections Loons build no nest, simply scooping a hollow out in
the sand, while in other places they construct quite a large nest of
sticks, moss and grasses. It is usually placed but a few feet from the
waters edge, so that at the least suspicion the bird can slide off its
eggs into the water, where it can cope with any enemy. The nests are
nearly always concealed under the overhanging bushes that line the
shore; the one shown in the full page illustration, however, was located
upon the top of an old muskrat house. The two eggs which they lay are a
very dark greenish brown in color, with black spots. Size 3.50 x 2.25.
Data.--Lake Sunapee, N. H., June 28, 1895. Nest placed under the bushes
at the waters edge. Made of rushes, weeds and grasses; a large structure
nearly three feet in diameter. Collector, H. A. Collins.

8. YELLOW-BILLED LOON. _Gavia adamsi._

Range.--Northwestern North America, along the Arctic and northern
Alaskan coasts.

The Yellow-billed Loon with the exception of its whitish or yellowish
bill in place of the black, is practically otherwise indistinguishable
from the common Loon. It averages somewhat larger in size. This is one
of the most northerly breeding birds and it is only within a very few
years that anything has been learned about the breeding habits. Their
nesting habits and eggs are precisely like the preceding except that the
latter average a little larger. Size 3.60 x 2.25.

9. BLACK-THROATED LOON. _Gavia arctica._.

Range.--From northern United States northward, breeding along the Arctic
Coast.

This species can be easily separated from the Loon by the gray crown and
white streaks down the back of