42 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



Largest of our divers, from 2^ to 3 feet long, but with rather small wings measuring about 

 4^ feet from tip to tip. Bill from 3 to 4 inches long, straight, sharp pointed and black. 

 Feet webbed, the shanks (tarsi) compressed to a knife edge, and the toes and nails flattened 

 to make the most effective paddle among birds. To increase their efficiency the legs are 

 placed far back, almost at the root of the tail. The plumage is thick, silky, compact and 

 ducklike. Adults in summer have the head and neck greenish or purplish black with a cres- 

 cent-like white patch on the upper throat in front and a similar white patch forming a col- 

 lar lower down which nearly or quite encircles the neck behind but does not quite meet in 

 front. Both these white patches are streaked with black. Sides of breast streaked with 

 black and white; back and upper surface of wings glossy black, thickly and sharply checked 

 and spotted with white, the spots largest and squarest in the middle of the back, smaller 

 and rounder in front and behind. Eyes red. The male is considerably larger than the 

 female, but the sexes are alike in color. In winter both are plain brownish black or dark 

 brown above, darkest on back of neck and top of head, and grayer on the back; below 

 they are pure white from bill to tail, the lines between the upper and under parts not being 

 very sharp but more or less gray or brown intervening. The downy young are plain brown 

 or gray above and white below. Length, 28 to 36 inches; wing, 13 to 15.25; culmen, 2.75 

 to 3.50. 



5. Red-throated Loon. Gavia stellata {Pontop.). (11) 



Synonyms: Red-throated Diver. — Colymbus stellatus, Pontoppidan, 1763. — Colymbus 

 lumme, Gunn., 1761. — Urinator lummc, Stejn., 1882, A. O. U. Checklist, 1895. — Colymbus 

 septentrionalis of most authors. 



Likely to be taken for the young of the common Loon, or even for the 

 adult Loon in winter plumage, although it is decidedly smaller. Can 

 hardly be identified except with the bird in the hand. 



Distribution. — Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, migrating south- 

 ward in winter nearly across the United States. 



In Michigan found only in winter, or at least from late fall until spring; 

 and it seems to be much more frequently seen in spring than in fall. It 

 frequents the Great Lakes and the larger ponds and streams, but is very 

 much less often seen than the common Loon. Ordinarily it is in the winter 

 plumage and there is no indication of the red throat, but occasionally 

 some of the birds obtain their adult plumage, or something approaching it, 

 before going north in the spring. The late Dr. J. W. Velie, of St. Joseph, 

 wrote: "Eight or ten specimens were brought in by fishermen in May, 

 1904, taken from nets set in shallow water off shore at this place. Five 

 or six of these were brought in on the same day and among them were two 

 specimens in almost perfect breeding plumage with the red throat fully 

 colored. Although this species is common here every spring, this is the 

 first time I have ever found it with the red throat." 



There is no reason to suppose that this diver ever nests in Michigan. 

 Its normal nesting grounds are in the far north, and its eggs closely resemble 

 those of the common Loon, but are much smaller, averaging 2.82 by 1.76 

 inches. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



Similar to the preceding species; but decidedly smaller. Adult in summer (never seen 

 in Michigan) with the entire upper parts dark brownish black or slaty black, thickly marked 

 with small, oval white spots; the back of the neck black streaked with white. Front of 

 neck with a large triangular patch of rich chestnut; rest of imder parts white. The winter 

 plumage is similar, but the dark upper parts are duller, the red throat-patch mostly or 

 entirely wanting, and the tliroat, breast and belly white. The wings and back often show 

 traces of the oval white spots, and this, with the smaller size, serves to separate it readily 

 from the common Loon in winter plumage. 



Measurements: Length, 24 to 27 inches; wing, 10 to 11.50; culmen, 2.00 to 2.25; tarsus, 

 2.75. 



