26 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND. 



brackish and fresh water ponds. It is often common in Easton's 

 Pond, Newport, and in the ponds at Little Compton, and some- 

 times not uncommon more inland, having been taken at Peace- 

 dale, Cranston and other localities. Of late years the species 

 seems to have become more uncommon, for now it certainly is 

 not the most common of our Grebes as Lawton called it in his 

 List. ^ Mr. Newton Dexter writes that it is " common in sum- 

 mer, breeding at Long Pond, Sakonnet Pt., and that he has seen 

 old birds with young and has taken eggs." Mr. G. W. Field 

 also writes that " a pair nested in Point Judith Pond in 1897." 

 May to October (April) . Summer. 



(4) 7. Gavia imber (Gunn.). Loon. Big Loon. — A com- 

 mon winter resident along the ocean beaches and cliffs, and is 

 frequently seen in Narragansett Bay, where, however, it is 

 less common than outside. Most of the northward migration is 

 over in April, but they are seen, usually singly, in May still migrat- 

 ing. Crippled and barren birds remain not infrequently through- 

 out the summer in our waters. 



(September) November 16 to May 24 (June). July and 

 August. 



(5) II. Gavia lumme (Gunn). Red-throated Loon. 

 Little Loon. — An uncommon winter resident off the ocean 

 cliffs and beaches, and occasionally seen in Narragansett Bay. 

 During the summer small flocks of three or four birds, generally 

 young, are often seen which, for want of better explanation, one 

 may call crippled or barren birds. Mr. Newton Dexter writes that 

 this species "passes the coast in fall and spring in great num- 

 bers." He took a bird in adult plumage in April, 1874, at Sakon- 

 net Point, now in the Brown University collection, and he has 

 since taken two others. Mr. J. M. Southwick also writes that 

 there was a bird in full plumage taken at Prudence Island in the 

 autumn of 1898 which is now in the Smith collection. 



October i to April 27. June, July and August. 



' Lawton's List, p. 17. 



