BIRDS FOUND NEAR SHORE OR IN BAYS 48] 
breeding season had begun and they were long since due 
in Canada. The nest of the Pacific Loon is usually a 
mass of wet, decaying vegetation at the very edge of the 
water, or sometimes floating among the rushes. Occa- 
sionally it is lined with feathers. The bird follows the 
grebe’s fashion of covering the eggs during her absence, 
but does not remain away all day as do the grebes. 
The Loons are most devoted parents, carrying the little 
ones pick-a-back as soon as hatched, and, in case of 
attack by hunters, often rising with a great splash be- 
tween the hunter and their brood, to cover the retreat 
of the young. The food of all Loons consists largely of 
fish, although they occasionally relish frogs, and to the 
newly hatched young the mother brings the larvee of 
water insects obtained by diving. These she lays on 
the surface for the brood to pick up, instead of placing 
them in the bills of the little ones. 
11. RED-THROATED LOON. — Gavia lumme. 
Famity : The Loons. 
Length : 25.50. 
Adults in Summer : Sides of head and neck light brownish gray ; throat 
gray ; a triangular patch of rich chestnut on fore-neck ; crown and 
broad stripe down back of neck finely streaked brownish black and 
white ; back, wings, and tail dark grayish brown, finely specked 
with white ; breast and belly white. 
Adults in Winter, and Young: Throat and fore-neck white; upper 
parts blackish, spotted with white. 
Downy Young: Upper parts blackish slate ; under parts dark gray. 
Geographical Distribution : Entire northern hemisphere, south in winter 
as far as latitude 30°. 
Breeding Range : The arctic regions. 
Breeding Season; June 1 to August 1. 
