THE PACIFIC LOON. 899 
early April.’ Mr. J.*M. Edson, also has secured specimens at Bellingham, one 
of which now reposes in the collection of the State Normal School at that 
place. It may be these birds are more common than we have supposed; and 
since they are abundant during the breeding season in southwestern Alaska, 
their presence may be expected here at any other time. 
At the mouth of the Yukon the Black-throated Loon arrives a little later 
than the commoner sort, G. stellata. Like the latter species, it resorts to the 
smaller ponds to breed, and its eggs are laid on the bare mud at the water's 
edge without pretense of nest lining. If the wind comes from certain quarters, 
the eggs may be drenched in the rising water The young Loons hatch by the 
first of July, in spite of these hardships; and when able to fly, are conducted to 
salt waters to spend the remainder of the northern season. 
No. 362. 
PACIFIC LOON. 
A. O. U. No. 10. Gavia pacifica (Lawr.). 
Synonyms.—WESTERN Loon. LAWRENCE'S BLACK-THROATED DIVER. 
Description.—Like foregoing, but decidedly smaller, bill slender, culmen 
straighter, gray of hind-neck more extensive and averaging lighter. Length about 
24.00 (609.6); wing 11.70 (297.2); bill 2.12 (53.8); tarsus 2.45 (59.7). 
Recognition Marks.—Drant size; small size and black throat distinctive 
(save for rare G. arctica) in spring; no white above in winter. 
Nesting.—Does not breed in Washington. Nest and Eggs similar to those 
of G. miner. Av. size of eggs, 3.10 x 1.90 (78.7 x 48.3). 
General Range.—Pacific Coast of North America, breeding in Alaska; 
south in winter to Cape St. Lucas. 
Range in Washington.—Abundant winter resident and migrant, Puget 
Sound and Pacific Coast. 
Authorities——Colymbus pacificus, Lawrence, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. pt. 
DENI SS Ss SSOncecoow C&S 2 ihe Kiev) 
Specimens.—B. 
DIVERS of this and the succeeding species throng the channels of Puget 
Sound and contiguous waters thruout the winter, or, for variety, let us say the 
rainy season. ‘They are disturbed by every passing steamer, and are known 
chiefly by sea-farers as picturesque objects on the horizon. It is considered a 
mark of ill-breeding on the part of Pacific Divers to sit in the presence of an 
approaching steamer—there might be ladies aboard. Hence, while the beauty- 
laden boat is yet a great way off, the bird summons his forces, brings his feet 
as near as possible to his nostrils, struggles manfully with his awkward fate, 
