LOONS. 15 



LOONS. 



Occur on both fresh and salt water in 

 summer, but are more common on the latter 

 named in winter. They may be distinguished 

 from ducks by the pointed bill, long form, 

 and habit of sitting low on the water. This 

 last mentioned habit, their method of carry- 

 ing their head in advance of the body, not oft- 

 en over it, see fig. 10, and the presence of a 

 tail, which although short, can easily be seen, 



Fig. 20. 



Loon. 1-10. 



will at once distinguish them from Grebes. 



Loons dive instantaneously when much 

 alarmed, and can rarely be made to fly. They 

 slip under water with the utmost ease, leav- 



