638 THE RED-THROATED LOON. 



Range in Ohio. Casual winter visitor. Several specimens have been cap- 

 tured since that recorded by Dr. Wheaton (Jones). 



THE Black-throated Loon is not only a rare bird in Ohio, but it seldom 

 occurs anywhere so far south. The immature birds migrate more freely 

 than the adults, being apparently less able to stand the winter rigors of the 

 Arctic seas ; and it is they which are usually seen in the United States. The 

 habits of this species are essentially similar to those of the preceding, save 

 in the matter of migration. 



No. 319. 



RED-THROATED LOON. 



A. O. U. Xo. n. Gavia lumme (Gunn.). 



Synonym. RED-THROATED DivER. 



Description. Adult in summer : Top of head and hind-neck along crest 

 black, the latter streaked with white; throat and sides of head and neck plumbeous 

 gray ; front of neck rich chestnut ; sides of breast heavily streaked or striped 

 with black and white; upper parts and sides brownish dusky, spotted rather 

 finely with white, the spots mostly oval or elongate oval and largest on lower 

 scapulars and tertiaries : remaining under parts white ; the longer under tail- 

 coverts and a bar across the base of shorter ones dusky ; tail narrowly tipped with 

 white; bill black, slditlt in winter and immature: Without chestnut on neck; 

 appearing much as in corresponding stage of G. imber, but the back, etc., always 

 more or less spotted with white. Length 24.00-27.00 (609.6-685.8); wing n.oo 

 (279.4) ; tail i. 80 (45.7) ; bill 2.00 (50.8) ; tarsus 2.80 (71.1). 



Recognition Marks. Brant size; somewhat like G. imber , but smaller, 

 chestnut of throat distinctive in summer, and spotting of upper parts unique in 

 winter. 



Nesting^ Does not breed in Ohio. Nest and Eggs as in preceding species. 

 Av. of eggs, 2.80 x 1.75 (71.1 x 44.5). 



General Range. Northern part of northern hemisphere, migrating south- 

 ward in winter nearly across the United States. 



Range in Ohio. Rare migrant ; more nearly common on Lake Erie. 



SINCE these birds enjoy a more northerly distribution during the breed- 

 ing season than the common species, being found to the limits of the Arctic 

 shores, they are also much less numerous and regular in fall and winter. 

 Moreover, because of the lack of strong diagnostic marks and because of the 

 prevalence of immature birds, they are difficult to distinguish during the mi- 

 grations. While the species cannot be reckoned uncommon, at least on Lake 

 Erie, reliable records are mostly confined to those accidentally shot or found 

 entangled in the meshes of fish-traps. 



