THE PACIFIC LOON. 899 



early April." Air. J. Al. Ivlsnn. alsd lias secured specimens at Bellin.i;haiii. one 

 of which now reposes in the collfclinn of ihe State Normal School at that 

 place. It mav be these birds are more common than we ha\'e supposed: and 

 since they are abundant dtu-int; the breeding season in southwestern Alaska, 

 their presence may be expected here at any other time. 



At the mouth of the Yukon the lUack-tbroated Loon arri\es a little later 

 than the commoner sort. G. strllala. Like tlie latter species, it resorts to the 

 smaller ponds to breed, and its eggs are laid on the bare mud at the water's 

 edge without pretense of nest lining. If the wind comes from certain quarters, 

 the eggs mav be drenched in the rising water The young Loons hatch b)- the 

 first of Jtily. in spite of these hardships ; and when alile to fly. are C(Tnducted to 

 salt waters to spend the remainder of the northern season. 



No. 362. 



PACIFIC LOON. 



A. C). L. No. 10. Gavia pacifica i Lawr. "). 



Synonyms. — Wrstern Loo.n. T^awkk xck's BL.\CK-TiiR0.'\Tia) DivKS, 



Description. — I^ikc foregoing, but deciiledh- smaller, bill slender, culnitK 

 straigliter, gray of hind-neck more e.\tensi\'c and averaging lighter. Length about 

 24.00 (609.6): wing 11.70 (297.2): bill 2.12 (53.8): tarsus 2.45 (59.7). 



Recognition Marks. — Brant size: small size and blarl: throat distinctive 

 (save f(ir rare (/'. arctica) in spring: 110 white above in winter. 



Nesting. — Does not lireed in Washington. Nest and E(/(/s similar to those 

 of (7". iiinucr. Av. size of eggs, 3.10 x r.90 (78.7x48.3). 



General Range. — Pacific Coast of .North America, breeding in .\laska; 

 south in winter to Carie St. Lucas. 



Range in Washington. — .Abundant winter resident and migrant, Puget 

 Sound and Pacific Coast. 



Authorities. — Colxiiihiis f'acifii-us. Lawrence, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IN. ])t. 

 II. 1838, 889 & 890. C&-S. L-'. Rh. Kk. E. 



Specimens. — B. 



DIVERS of this and the succeeding species throng tlie chaimels of Puget 

 Sound and contiguous waters thrtiout the winter, or, for variety, let us say the 

 rainy season. They are disturljcd by every passing steamer, and are known 

 chiefl\' bv sea-farers as pictiu'esque olijects on the horizon. It is consitlered a 

 mark of ill-breeding on the part of Pacific Di\-ers to sit in the presence of an 

 approaching steamer — there might be ladies aboard. Hence, while the beauty- 

 laden boat is vet a great wa\' off, the bird summons his forces, brings his feet 

 as near as possible to his nostrils, strtiggles manfull}' with bis awkward fate. 



