Exhibit in Chicago Natural History Museum 



Co 



mmon 



Loon 



The loon's loud laughing cry is the personification of the wilderness to many 

 vacationists who spend their summers in the "north woods" of the Canadian zone, 

 where conifers are the dominant trees and the whole country is dotted with little lakes. 



There are four species of loons, and they are all northern in distribution; three nest 

 in the Arctic tundra; the common loon, the subject of our exhibit, is the most southern 

 species, and is shown near the southern edge of its range in Michigan. 



The loon flies well, with a strong direct flight when it is finally air-borne after a long 

 spattering run over the surface of the water. On the land it is at a decided disadvan- 

 tage. It hobiiles along; its feet being at the rear of its body are aided by the use of the 

 wings as crutches; even the bill may be used to assist in locomotion on land. It seldom 

 goes far from the element in which it is really at home, the water. Its nest is placed on 



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