6/6 
A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS 
( 
Family Urinatoridae: Loons 
Loon : Urinator imber. W. V. 
Great Northern Diver 
Length: 31-36 inches. 
Male and Female: Head, throat, and neck iridescent green, blue, and 
purplish. Triangular patches of black and white streaks on either 
side of the throat, almost joining at the back and narrowing in 
front. Above spotted black and white. Breast streaked on sides 
with black and white; under parts white. Bill dark yellowish 
green. 
Season: Winter resident; most common, however, in the migrations 
September to May. 
Breeds: Northward from the northern tier of States. 
1 his Loon appears here more as a wandering visitor than 
a winter resident, for those who remain after the general mi- 
gration are constantly shifting about. Its plumage is very 
rich and velvety, though, as in the case of so many Water- 
birds which we see only in the autumn and winter, the fully 
plumed adult males are in the minority, and the more dully 
feathered young predominate. 
The Loon dives and swims in the same manner as the 
Grebes. It only inhabits the interior while the lakes and rivers 
remain unfrozen. 
Pjed-billed Grebe: Podilymbus podiceps. 
Dipper; Dab chick. 
Length: 13 inches. 
Male and Female: Some bristling frontal feathers, but no regular 
horns. Above dark brown; showy black markings on chin and 
throat. Breast and lower throat yellowish brown, irregularly 
spotted and barred, on the upper parts; lower parts glossy white. 
Wings brown, gray, and white. Bill spotted with blue, white, 
and dusky, and crossed by a black band, hence Pied-billed. 
Season: Common migrant; on Housatonic River in September and 
October. 
Breeds: Through range. 
Nesting: Plabits similar to the last species. 
Range: British Provinces, southward to Brazil, Buenos Ayres, and 
Chili, including the West Indies and the Bermudas. 
The most common Grebe on the eastern coast, and, though 
said to breed through its range, is not noted as a resident 
hereabout. It frequents fresh water, even more freely than 
salt, and Dr. Langdon gives an interesting account of its 
