RED-THROATED LOON 
ll. Gavia stellata. 25 inches. 
Besides being smaller than the common loon, this 
species has a more slender bill, which has a slightly 
up-turned appearance owing to the straight top to the 
upper mandible; in summer, its back and ‘head are gray, 
with no white spots, although the back of the head has 
a few white streaks; there is a large patch of chestnut 
on the foré-neck; the under parts are white. In winter, 
it is gray above and white below, but the back is sprin- 
kled with small white spots; at this season it can easily 
be distinguished from Holbeell Grebe by the absence of | 
any white patch in the wings as well as by the differ- | 
ently shaped feet. 
Nest.—A depression in the sand or ground, not more 
than a foot or two from the water’s edge, so they can 
slide from their two eggs into their natural element. 
The eggs, which are laid in June, are olive-brown, 
specked with black (2.90 x 1.75). 
Range.—Breeds from New Brunswick and Manitoba 
north to the Arctic Ocean; winters throughout the 
United States. 
