45 



11. Red-throated Loon. LE PLONGEON A GORGE ROUSSE. Gaoia stettata. L, 25. 

 This is smaller than the Common Loon, and is without its intensely contrasted black and 

 white back coloration. Its head and neck are grey and summer adults have a maroon-red 

 throat-patch. 



Distinctions. Adults can be distinguished from the Common Loon by size and color- 

 ation as above. Juveniles can be recognized by their finely speckled backs in distinction 

 from the slightly grey marginations of the Common Loon. 



Field Marks. Size and back coloration. 



Nesting. Breeding habits similar to those of the preceding species. 



Distribution. Ranges over the whole of Canada, scarce in the interior, more common 

 on the coasts. Breeds in the east from northern Ontario, central Quebec, and New Bruns- 

 wick northward. 



Economic Status. Similar to the Common Loon, but of less import- 

 ance on account of its smaller numbers. 



FAMILY ALCED^J. AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS. 



General Description. This family is composed of strictly maritime species of rare or 

 only accidental occurrence on fresh water. Though most at home in the water they stand 

 upright on land and walk about with considerably more ease than do the Grebes or Loons. 

 Their bills are subject to a greater degree of variation than the aforementioned families, 

 ranging from the straight tapering shape of the Murre to the deep compressed bill of 

 the Puffin. 



Distinctions. The obvious diver-like form combined with webbed feet and no hind 

 toes (Figure 12, p. 20) is diagnostic. 



Field Marks. General resemblance to Ducks, but their short necks, and pointed and 

 sometimes deepened and narrowed bill, are characteristic. 



Nesting. Breed in large colonies, often of mixed species, on rocky islets or inaccess- 

 ible sea-washed cliffs. Build no nest but lay their eggs directly on the ground. Their 

 eggs are unusually large for the size of the bird and markedly pyriform, a shape that 

 causes them to roll in circles rather than in straight lines and lessens the danger of their 

 falling from the bare, rocky, nesting ledges. 



Distribution. Over our sea-coast from our southern borders to the Arctic. They 

 are only casual on fresh water, though one species has indulged in occasional abnormal, 

 eruptive migrations to the lower Great Lakes. 



This family frequents the open sea, coming ashore only to breed. 

 They differ from the other Divers in habitually using their wings under 

 water as in flying. On the Labrador coast their eggs in the past have 

 been much used by the fishermen for food. 



Economic Status. Eating nothing but the smaller sizes of fish and 

 crustaceans taken at sea, where the supplies are more than ample, there 

 is little harm that these species can do. 



Subfamily Fraterculinae. Puffins. 



Genus Fratercula. Puffins. 



13. Puffin. SEA PARROT. PAROQUET. FR. LE MACAREUX ARCTIQUE. LE PERROQUET 



DE MER. Fratercula arctica. L, 13. The Puffin is a grotesque little Diver, black above, 

 white below, and with a grey face. It is notable for its absurdly deepened and flattened 

 bill, nearly as high as long and highly coloured with reds and yellows. 



Distinctions. Bill is always distinctive. 



Field Marks. Bill can be recognized in life nearly as far as the bird can be 

 28587-4* 



