86 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



nest. But usually about the breeding time the water is subsiding 

 and the nest is moved waterward or there is a change of locality 

 entirely. 



The present nest was built on a low, sand and mud shore, with 

 little protection from observation save from the similarity of the 

 color of the nest and eggs to the surroundings, and at the time the 

 nest was found it was approachable from the shoreward side, 

 although the location indicated that probablj- at the time the nest 

 was built there w^as more water around it, being on a low island as 

 it were. Notwithstanding its exposed situation, however, I am 

 glad to say that the eggs were safely hatched. 



Another thing about this nest that attracted attention was the 

 fact that it was somewhat later in the season, in this locality, than I 

 have usually found Loons' nests with fresh eggs, as these evidently 

 were, judging from the time that it took them to hatch. 



I said that I was glad that the eggs were safely hatched. I am 

 glad, for the Loon is one of my favorite birds, notwithstanding the 

 slanderous accusations that have been directed toward it. 



For many years the bird was considered legitimate prey to 

 every gun that could succeed in stopping its career. But fortunately 

 every gun could not do much harm, thanks to the deftness of the 

 bird in dodging the leaden missiles by diving and rapid swimming. 



The Loon has always been regarded as a destroyer of game-fish 

 and for that reason was not included in the list of those protected by 

 law. It certainly is almost, if not quite, exclusively a fish-eater, 

 and probably, in small, inland ponds, where trout are small, devours 

 a good many. But in Sebago Lake and other large lakes my 

 observations lead me to believe that it does little or no harm. In 

 most large lakes salmon and trout are mostly too large for the Loon 

 to trouble and it restricts its diet to the smaller surface-swimming 

 and shore fishes, such as smelts, chubs, etc. In Sebago Lake these 

 are so numerous that it can do no harm in that direction. 



