28 WATER BIRDS 
Adults in Winter, and Young: Plumage of upper parts without white ; 
under parts and throat white. 
Downy Young: Uniform blackish ; belly nearly white. 
Geographical Distribution: Northern part of northern hemisphere. 
Breeding Range: Northern United States and throughout Canada to the 
arctic circle. 
Breeding Season: Approximately, June 1 to August 15. 
Nest: A slight hollow in the sand near the water; sometimes roughly 
lined with dry reeds, sticks, or marsh grass. 
Eggs: 2, rarely 3; olive, spotted with umber ; elliptical. Size 3.50 X 
2.20. 
On the loneliest lakes of California the common Loon, 
known as Gavia imber, is a regular winter visitant, but 
he shuns the coast whenever he can. Is this because 
he likes the taste of fresh-water fish better than that of 
sea fish? Who knows? Like those of all diving birds, 
the Loon’s stout legs are set well back, and propel its 
heavy body with equal rapidity and ease on or under 
the water. Its speed in submarine swimming has been 
estimated to reach eight miles an hour and to continue 
indefinitely with only the bill exposed. In this he uses 
only his feet, the wings being folded tightly. AIL its 
fish are caught by diving. Awkward and helpless on 
land, where it uses wings to assist in locomotion, it leaves 
the water only to nest. Its two greenish gray eggs are 
laid upon a thin mat of grass in a slightly hollowed place 
on the ground, and, in order to be as far as possible re- 
moved from neighbors, the site chosen is usually a small 
grass-covered islet. The young Loons are oval balls of 
blackish down and are occasionally taken into the water 
on the back of the adult bird. Their first attempts at div- 
ing are very funny, and with all their efforts they are able 
to submerge no more than their heads and necks, so that 
