VOL. IX j GREAT NORTHEKN DIVER. 147 



The alarm call, though similar, is shorter and more 

 abrupt. The birds uttered it if disturbed in the vicinity 

 of the nest. This call differs again from their flight call, 

 which is frequently uttered by both birds together, and 

 more or less in unison, as they fly round. The latter is 

 higher pitched, longer, and more rapidly vittered, but all 

 three have the same wild quality. I do not think they 

 can be adequately rendered in syllables. Another call 

 somewhat resembles the Curlew's usual cry. Yet another 

 may perhaps be written " Oh-h," it is shorter than the 

 others. A shrill- whistled " whee-whew " repeated several 

 times was also noted. When callmg to the young the 

 female used a soft cluckmg note, very different to the 

 usual wild wail. 



On October 4th, 1914, on one of the large lakes of 

 central Canada, I saw about sev^enty Loons in a close 

 flock ; they were no doubt on migration. They were 

 keeping up a continual noise which closely resembled 

 that made by Grey Lag-Geese when on the feed. On 

 approaching them they dived and quickly scattered over 

 the lake. 



It should be added that, in referring to the bird photo- 

 graphed as the female, I had no proof that that was the 

 sex. In the case of the bird accompanying the young, 

 this point was ascertained with certainty. 



