JAN., 1909. BIRDS OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN CORY. 



283 



grayish white; back and wings, blackish, the feathers often with gray- 

 ish edgings but not spotted or streaked with white. 



Its large size will distinguish this species. 



Length, about 31; wing, 13 to 15; bill, 2.80 to 3.40; tarsus, about 

 3-35- 



Loon. 



The Loon is a summer resident, and breeds in northern Illinois 

 and Wisconsin. It arrives early in spring and leaves late in the fall; 

 although a few remain on Lake Michigan all winter. It has a peculiar 

 loud, resonant cry, and the "laugh" of the Loon is a familiar sound 

 on pond and lake. It breeds in May and June. The eggs are usu- 

 ally 2, pale olive brown, marked with irregular spots of black. They 

 are deposited on the ground near water, sometimes on a mat of leaves 

 or grass," but usually with little or no attempt at a nest. The eggs 

 measure 3.50 x 2.25 inches. 



