JOURNAI, OF* MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIKTY. 67 



Inland Water Birds. 



By Dana W. Sweet, Phillips, Me. 



Probably most bird observers, who live away from the seacoast, 

 take a special interest in the few species of water birds that are 

 found inland. I have eagerly sought every scrap of information 

 concerning them that I could get, and I am going to relate some of 

 my experiences, hoping they may be of assistance to some one who, 

 like, myself, is hot favorably located for the observation of water 

 birds. 



The Grebe is a bird that is very easily overlooked. Carefully 

 scrutinize the surface of a pond and, if one is there, it will look like 

 the end of a small stick protruding above the water. When seen 

 nearby, it suggests a tiny Duck with a long slim neck. The 

 remarkably long time that it can remain under water is a good aid 

 in identifying it. 



I have seen but one Red-throated Loon. This one was in a cove 

 of a pond. I at first mistook it for a Duck, it being very much 

 smaller than the common Loon. It was black all over except a 

 whitish strip along each side of the neck. I watched it for nearly 

 an hour during which time it entertained me with all sorts of antics. 

 At first it was some little distance from the shore and looked 

 exactly like one of the many blackened stumps that protruded 

 above the water. Looking through my glass I saw that it was 

 whirling round and round. Its head was tucked under one wing, 

 and with one eye cocked up it was sweeping all points of the com- 

 pass. After it had satisfied itself that my intentions were honorable, 

 it came nearer the shore and displayed its ability at diving. It 

 seemed to be feeding on the roots of either pickerel weed or water- 

 lily. I was anxious to see the color of the under parts, and after a 

 long wait I was rewarded for my patience. While facing me it 

 lifted itself upright, and, slowly outstretching and closing its wings, 

 sank back into the water. This was evidently intended for a yawn. 

 Its belly was white suffused with black, it being whitest in the 

 middle and gradually shading off to clear black. 



