SUPPLEMENT TO BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY 27 



5 [11] Gavia stellata (Pont.). 



Red-throated Loon ; " Cape Race " ; '' Cape Racer " ; " Scape-grace." 



Abundant transient visitor in the autumn, uncommon in late winter and 

 spring. August 27 to April 19 (June 27). 



On June 27, 1909, an adult in full plumage flew within a hundred yards of 

 my boat at the mouth of the Essex River. 



I wish to correct the statement in the original edition that " in habits and 

 call notes they closely resemble their larger cousin." One of the striking differ- 

 ences in habit is the fact that the Red-throated Loon is able to leap into the air 

 from calm water and fly ofif, while this is generally impossible in the case of the 

 Loon, and it is absolutely impossible if the body of water is small. I have found 

 the Red-throated Loon nesting in small fresh-water ponds in the bog or tundra 

 of Labrador, and have seen them rise directly from the water, even in calm 

 weather. Under similar circumstances a Loon would be a helpless prisoner. 



While the notes of the Loon vary from a mournful wail to a diabolical laugh- 

 ter, the range of notes of the Red-throated Loon is more limited. Very silent 

 during the migrations, it is a noisy bird in the breeding range. Here I have heard 

 it utter repeatedly harsh cacks which sound at times like groans. 



6 [13] Fratercula arctica arctica (Linn.). 

 Puffin; "Sea Parrot"; " Perroquet." 

 Rare winter visitor. October 16 to March 19. 



As the breeding colonies on the Labrador coast are rapidly dwindling under 

 the ruthless destruction inflicted on them by the fishermen, so this bird is becom- 

 ing increasingly rare on the Essex County coast. 



7 [27] Cepphus grylle (Linn.). 



Black Guillemot; "Sea Pigeon." 



Common winter visitor. September — to April 23. 



As early as March some of these birds have molted or partially molted into 

 summer plumage. Thus on March 14, 1909, I saw ofT Rockport, two in the full 

 black plumage, several that were dark with white breasts, and one still in full 

 winter plumage. On March 25, 1905, Mr. H. W. Wright reported five in full 

 black plumage off Marblehead and three on March 28. Mrs. Edmund Bridge 

 reported three in dark plumage off Nahant on October 10, 1907. 



