NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 7 



Ocean. In the large bodies of waters throughout Alaska it is said to 

 be common, where its melancholy cry can be heard during the breed- 

 ing season. In its nesting and general habits it resembles the com- 

 mon Loon, and the eggs are said to be indistinguishable except in 

 their size, which, like the bird, average a little larger. 



9. Urinator arcticus (LINN). [ 738.] 



Black-throated Loon. 



Hab. Northern part of the Northern Hemisphere. In North America migrating south in winter to the 

 Northern States. 



The Black-throated Diver is a bird which is more or less common 

 in the northern regions of the globe. It breeds commonly throughout 

 the interior of Norway and Sweden, and far up into Lapland. In most 

 parts of the British Islands this Loon is considered of rare occurrence. 

 On the little islands of the fresh water lochs, from the middle portion 

 of Scotland northward to the islands beyond John O'Groat's House 

 the Orkeny and Shetland this species is known to breed as well as 

 on the Hebrides on the west coast. 



In North America it occurs as far south as the United States. On 

 the Pacific coast it is replaced by the next species, U. pacificus. 



Like all the Loons, its home is on the water ; it is awkward and 

 almost helpless on land. Its progress under water has been estimated 

 to be not less than eight miles an hour. 



The Black-throated Loon constructs its nest of a small quantity 

 of herbage, in which is formed a hollow, on the sandy banks of small 

 islands in lakes. A set of two eggs of this species collected June 5, 

 1884, in Iceland, is in the collection of J. Parker Norris. These are 

 "hair brown" in color, marked with small spots of olive. They meas- 

 ure, respectively, 3.40 x 2.11, 3.37 x 2.15. 



10. Urinator pacificus (LAWR.) [739.] 



Pacific Loon, 

 Hab. Pacific Coast of North America, south in winter to Cape St. Lucas and Guadalupe Island. 



As its name implies, the Pacific Diver is confined to the West, and 

 the above habitat clearly indicates its range. 



It breeds abundantly in the Arctic regions on the islands in the 

 lakes and bays of Alaska in the marshes of the Yukon River, and it 

 has been found breeding in considerable numbers at Fort Anderson. 

 It breeds commonly in the innumerable lakes and ponds of the Nearer 

 Islands, Alaska.* 



The nest of this Loon is made in a decayed mass of vegetation 



* This group forms the westernmost portion of the Aleutian chain; they are so designated because 

 they lie nearest the Asiatic Coast. 



