44 
FAMILY—GAVIIDA. LOONS. 
General Description. The Loons are large divers with straight, sharply pointed bills 
and with the feet fully webbed (Figure 2, p. 18). In the adult state they are coloured 
in strikingly contrasting patterns, mostly black and white. 
Distinctions. Larger than ducks and have shorter necks than geese. These points 
and the sharp pointed bill are diagnostic. Tails more evident than in the Grebes. 
i ue Marks. Size, length of neck, and bill. In flight, the feet are trailed behind 
the tau. 
Nesting. On low shores in the immediate vicinity of water where they can dive 
directly into the water from the nest. 
The Loons are probably even better divers than the Grebes but they 
rise less easily from the water, and unless there is a good breeze that they 
oe face, require a long splashing start over the surface before being wing 
orne. 
Economic Status. Their food is composed almost entirely of fish, 
but owing to the small number of loons in any given locality, their direct 
economic importance is small. 
7. Common Loon. GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. FR.—LE PLONGEON A COLLIER. 
HUARD. Gavia immer. L, 32. Plate IB. 
Distinctions. The adult Common Loon is easily separated from other loons by its 
marked coloration, but juveniles are somewhat more difficult to differentiate. Size and 
the lack of spots on the back will separate it from the Red-throated Loon with which it 
is most easily confused. 
Field Marks. Size and unspotted back of the juveniles as above. Most loons seen 
on our inland lakes are of this species. 
Nesting. Close to the water on the boggy or rocky shores of inland lakes where 
when alarmed the loons can slide directly into the water. The rather bulky nest is built 
of decaying vegetable matter. 
Distribution. Over the whole of Canada, breeding wherever conditions are suitable 
and often remaining in the winter until the last open water is closed by ice. 
Most frequenters of our waterways and lakes are familiar with the 
long loud laugh of the Loon. The loon has another call beginning low, 
rising high, and then dropping suddenly. It is often noisy at night or just 
before a storm and birds frequently call to and answer one another across 
the water. 
Owing to the constant encroachments of settlement, and the consequent 
disturbance of its nesting places, the Loon has been growing scarcer of late 
years and in many of its old haunts it is seldom seen now except during 
migration. However, there are still great numbers of lonely lakes in the 
great uninhabited north where they can live and breed undisturbed, and 
the immediate loss of this picturesque species need not be anticipated. 
Proper local protection, enforced by an awakened public opinion, would 
undoubtedly restock our lakes and ponds with summer residents as well 
as augment the number that make passing visits. 
Economic Status. Although the Loon is a large bird the capacity 
of its gullet limits the fish it takes to comparatively small sizes. This 
fact, taken in connexion with the small number of birds on the smaller 
lakes and the immense numbers of fish in the larger bodies of water, makes 
its depredations economically unimportant. The species, therefore, should 
not be destroyed. 
11. Red-throated Loon. LE PLONGEON A GORGE ROUSSE. Gavia stellata. L, 25. 
This is smaller than the Common Loon, and is without its intensely contrasted black and 
