THE WILD FOWL OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. 371 



Loons (Gaviidae). 



Two species of the loon family are found in this vicinity — the loon {Gavia 

 imber) and the black-throated loon {Gavia arcticus). The latter species is very 

 like the former in its markings, but is a smaller bird. The loon is one of the 

 commonest sights to the traveler on the St. Lawrence, and to amateur sportsmen 

 a source of never-ending interest because of the difficulty in securing a specimen. 



Grebes (JPodicipidae). 



The pied-billed grebe {Podilymbus podiccps) breeds readily in the marshes and 

 is very common especially along the upper St. Lawrence. This bird is locally 

 known as the "hell-diver." 



The horned grebe (Colymbus auritus), known also as the "hooded grebe," is 

 also a home breeder, but is less common than the pied-billed grebe. 



Gulls and Terns (Laridae). 



The American herring gull {Larus argentatus) breeds throughout the St, 

 Lawrence region, and is common to both river and lake. 



The laughing gull {Larus atricilla) is often seen and oftener heard; but it is 

 by no means as numerous as the species just mentioned. The same may be said 

 of the Bonaparte gull {Larus pliiladelphia). Neither of these is known to breed in 

 this vicinity. 



The common tern {Sterna hirundd) breeds in our marshes and is very common 

 during the season. This is the case, also, with the black tern {Hydrochelidon 

 n igra su rum mensis) . 



The kittiwake {Rissa tridactyla) and the Iceland gull {Larus leucopterus) are 

 numerous during the summer and autumn. 



There was a time here when the gulls and terns were shot in large numbers, 

 their plumage being in great demand for millinery decoration; but of late these 

 birds remain practically undisturbed. 



It is quite likely that in this article I have omitted some names which should 

 have been inserted in order to make the list more complete. If so, I have left 

 something to be supplied by some one who will write for the next report. I can 

 only say that I have done the best I could under the circumstances. My chief 

 regret lies in the fact that I am not better qualified to do full justice to a subject 

 of so much interest. 



