Descriptive List 



21 



deep, burst into a prolonged shout like a peal of coarse, profane laughter. The 

 effect was most startling, and although the bird is exceedingly sagacious in avoid- 

 ing its enemies, the observer might well feel that, judging from its cry, this weird 

 creature is in reality a maniac. 



"Loons are often killed for food. Many are annually shot from the dunes near 

 Cape Lookout, as they pass northward in the spring. This bird is a common winter 

 resident in Pamlico Sound, antl along the coast generally, except in Albemarle 



Pig. 3. Common Loon; Great Northern Diver (Spring Plumage). 



Sound, where, possibly, the black character of the water interferes with its vision 

 while diving. Sometimes the Loon is driven to earth far inland by stress of weather. 

 On such occasions it seems unable to rise, and is easily captured. The following 

 records have been made of its occurrence inland: Harnett County, December 9, 

 1896; Raleigh, April L3, 1897, and November 17, 1897; Guilford College, April, 

 1896; and Greensboro, April 19, 1900.^Pearson. 



5. Gavia stellata (Pont.). Red-throated Loon. 



Ads. in summer. — Back, wings, and tail fuscous, more or le.ss spotted with white; head and 

 neck ashy gray; foreneck che.'itnut: back of neck black, streaked wth white; breast and belly 

 white; longer under tail-coverts and band at tlie base of shorter ones fuscous. Ads. in winter, 

 <ind Im. — Similar to G. Immer, but back spotted witii white. L., 2.5.00; W., 11.00; Tar., 2.60; 

 B., 2.00. {Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. — Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, breeding mainly in the Arctic regions; 

 winters from Miiin ■ to Florida 



Range in North ( arolina. — ( oastal region in winter. 



