loon 335 



tion in the middle, falling at the end ; the other, quaver- 

 ing, like unearthly laughter. On the water, the Loon rides 

 either high, so that its white breast is visible at a great 

 distance, or so low that only its neck appears above water. 

 It dives with a forward spring, heels over head. When it 

 starts to fly, it patters over the surface for a long distance 

 before it gets under way, and when there is no breeze, it 

 cannot rise at all ; on land, it is almost helpless. It flies 

 with neck stretched out in front, feet out behind, the whole 

 figure forming a slight curve ; the wing strokes are rapid, 

 suggesting a duck. It enters the water with a splash. 



The adult bird, with its contrast of black and white, is 

 unmistakable. Immature birds and adults in winter re- 

 semble very closely the preceding species ; their greater size, 

 however, should distinguish them if the two species are 

 together, or on a near view the absence of the spotted back 

 is a good field-mark. 



GREBES : FAMILY PODICIPID-ffi 



Three species of Grebe occur in New York and New Eng- 

 land : the Horned Grebe and Holboell's Grebe are common 

 off the coast as migrants or winter visitants ; the Pied- 

 billed Grebe is found either as a migrant or as a rare sum- 

 mer resident on inland waters. Grebes are noted for their 

 powers of diving quickly, and of swimming long distances 

 under water. They can also sink in the water, so that only 

 the bill and a small portion of the head appear ; sometimes 

 they disappear wholly in this way, but as a rule they leap 

 forward, showing a clean pair of " heels." It is often 

 difficult to distinguish between Holboell's Grebe and the 

 Red-throated Loon. If the two occur together, the Loon's 

 greater size is apparent ; if the wing is spread, the Grebe 

 shows a white patch. The longer neck and narrow head 

 distinguish a Grebe from a diving duck. 



