®I|f Journal 



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Mm\^ (iruitlinlogiral i^nri^ty 



Published by the Society on the first of March, June, September and December 

 Vol. IX DECEMBER, 1907 No. 4 



Observations on the Nesting and Feeding Habits 



of the Loon. 



Hy Dr. Wm. C. Kendall. 

 [vScienlific Assistant, U. S. Bureau of Fisheries.] 



The Loon's nest shown in the half-tone engraving on the oppo- 

 site page was found early in July, this season, in Camp Cove, on 

 the east side of the lower end of Raymond Cape, Sebago Lake. The 

 location and amount of material used in the construction of the nest 

 seemed to me to be somewhat remarkable, as they were different 

 from those of any Loons' nests that I had ever seen. 



Ordinarily, according to my observations, the Loon chooses for 

 a nesting site some small island or hummock somewhat remote from 

 the mainland. Here it is comparatively safe from predaceous 

 animals, and is protected from observation by a stump, bush or 

 aquatic vegetation, with the only exposed opening on the water side, 

 affording the bird an outlook and egress at the approach of danger. 

 One curious feature of this nest is that there is rather more material 

 used in its construction than is usual, consisting of small .sticks and 

 water plants. The majority of nests that I have seen were shallow 

 hollows lined with a small amount of material, such as pieces of bark, 

 small twigs and pieces of water plants. They were situated on the 

 ground sufficiently above water level to allow of a moderate rise of 

 water. At times a sudden, considerable rise of water will flood the 



