14: LOONS. 



dish and this extends along tlie breast. Breeds in April and 

 May from the British Provinces southward into S. A., nest- 

 ing in small ponds in the more unsettled districts ; migrates 

 southward in Sep. and Oct. to winter from the Carolinas south- 

 ward ; comes north in April. Very common. Note, heard 

 from March to June, given by both sexes, a hollow, quaver- 

 ing cry, uttered rapidly and with considerable volume. 



B. LOOr^S. XJrinator-idessj. 



Water birds with long, flattened bodies, rather long 

 necks, and long wings which are not wholly concealed by 

 the feathers of the sides when folded. Expert divers which 

 use their wings to aid in swimming under water. Sit low in 



Fig. 7. 



B, A a, 1. 1-10. 

 the water and carry the medium sized head well forward of 

 the body when swimming, fig. 7. Tail, short. Feet, large; 

 front toes, long and fully webbed ; hind toe, short. Cannot 

 walk on land or stand upright without making a special ef- 

 fort, thus cannot rise from the land. Flight, direct and rap- 

 id with neck and feet outstretched ; wing-beats, rapid. Nests 

 placed on dry land near water. Eggs, two, dark brown, 

 mottled with darker. Young, downy and active when 

 hatched, swimming with parents. Food, fishes. Occur in 

 fresh and salt water. Usual note, a quavering cry like a 

 weird laugh. Sexes, similar. 



A. LOONS. Gaviidae. 



Characters as above. 



