62 



OTHER FAMILIAR WATER BIRDS 



LOONS, GREBES, RAILS, GALLINULES AND COOTS 



These water birds are not ducks and do not belong to the same 

 Family as the Ducks, Geese, and Swans, or even the same Order of birds. 



Of these birds, the Rails and Gallinules are valued game species, 

 and receive adequate protection; the others are not valued as game. 

 Loons and Grebes are protected throughout the year in North America 

 by International Treaty; their value is esthetic only; their economic 

 status is of little importance as they are neither beneficial nor particu- 

 larly harmful. Loons are said to consume large numbers of fish, but it 

 has not been proved that they are, generally, seriously detrimental to 

 the fishing interests; their gullets are small and they usually only tackle 

 the smaller fishes. In addition to small fishes they feed on molluscs, crabs, 

 frogs, leeches, aquatic insects, and certain water plants. Coots, in their 

 huge flocks, have been accused at times, and in certain places, of ex- 

 hausting the food supply of the more valued game species; they are much 

 hunted and countless numbers pay the penalty every year. They are 

 mainly vegetable feeders, and are particularly fond of wild celery and 

 the foxtail grass, which are important duck foods. Grebes are generally 

 conceded to be harmless little fellows. 



LOONS belong to the Family Gaviidae. There are six native North 



American forms of loons. The characteris- 

 tics of the family are: large diving birds; 

 long, straight, narrow, pointed bills; tarsi 

 much flattened laterally; front toes fully 

 webbed. Especially noted for their diving- 

 powers and for the long distances they 

 travel under water; rise with difficulty 

 from the water; in flight the feet are trailed 

 behind the tail. Of no importance as game 

 birds. 



Head and foot of Loon 



GREBES (Hell-divers) belong to the 

 Family Colymbidae. There are six native 

 North American forms of Grebes. The char- 

 acteristics of the family are: small diving 

 birds; sharp, pointed, narrow bills, of varying 

 length; tarsi much flattened laterally; front 

 toes with broad lobes and small webs at base; 

 no developed tail; legs so enclosed by the skin 

 of the trunk that only the tarsi move freely; 

 legs placed very far to the rear of body. Re- 

 markably quick, active divers; rise quickly 

 from the water; in flight the feet trail behind. 

 Of no importance as game birds. 



Head and foot of Grebe 



