23 



worked to some extent, but, not fast. The feet were paddling 

 alternately, and with every few kicks the wings were simul- 

 taneously struck downward and held half open again during a 

 few more kicks before another flap. 



Mr. Kenneth C. Gurney, East Stoneham, Maine, reports that 

 he saw a Loon in Keywadin Lake swimming under his canoe 

 with the wings spread about 8 inches and used with quick 

 motions. Apparently only the "first joint" of the wing was 

 used. The bird was only about 12 or 15 inches below the 

 surface, and the motion of the wings could be clearly seen. 

 Both wings and feet were used. The feet were used alternately. 

 He is positive that the bird swam very much faster when using 

 the wings than when using the feet alone. 



Mr. B. K. Lewis, North Eastham, Massachusetts, writes 

 that he headed a Loon up into a cove where the water was 

 shallow and the bottom sandy. The bird could be seen very 

 plainly. It seemed to make a backward movement with its 

 wings. It was going very fast. Mr. Albert A. Cross of Hunt- 

 ington, Massachusetts, says: 



I have seen a Loon swimming under water in L'Assomption River* 

 Province of Quebec, and the bird used its wings, keeping them extended 

 and vibrating them rapidly. As I was above the bird I could not see 

 its feet. 



Mr. Bonnycastle Dale writes as follows of a Loon seen in 

 May, 1918, at Rice Lake, Ontario: 



In approaching the Loon's nest we got in front of the bird, which 

 put its head down, stretched out its neck and slid off the nest into the 

 water, then swam right under the canoe within about 2 feet of the sur- 

 face, the water being about 4 feet deep. This Loon was swimming with 

 its wings only, its legs and tail apparently straight out behind, but I 

 could not see the legs. The first Loon I saw swimming under water 

 was off this same shore. We were in a canoe searching for the Loon's 

 nest. Suddenly I saw right under us a big white thing, which at first 

 I took to be a fish, then I saw it was a big bird swimming along, with 

 both wings stroking swiftly. We paddled to the shore, some 100 feet 

 away, and found the nest and the warm egg that the bird had just left. 



Dr. L. C. Jones, Falmouth, Massachusetts, says: 



I have often observed wounded Loons swimming under water, and 

 my impression is that short, sharp strokes of the wings were used ac- 



