lati N OSs sAU DUB ON. BULLETIN 17 
AN ARCTIC LOON AT SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 
by H. DAVID BOHLEN 
On 3 November 1974, I observed what seemed to be a small-billed, small- 
bodied loon at Lake Springfield, Sangamon County. Its nape appeared 
grayer than the back. At the time (0900), there was a light rain falling 
and I was not positive of the identity, but felt the bird was probably an 
Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica). 
I called Richard Sandburg and Richard Palmer of Decatur to help 
verify the bird. Initially we saw two loons and could tell even from 200 
yards through a 20-power telescope that one was smaller and grayer than 
the other. Since Richard Sandburg had brought his canoe, we paddled out 
to within 100 feet of the bird. After noting the field marks, we all felt sure 
that it was indeed an Arctic Loon. Sandburg took several photographs 
which, although not clear enough to reproduce, do show the field marks 
of the Arctic Loon (these are on file at the Illinois State Museum). I took 
the following notes (also see drawing): 
It was a small-bodied, small-billed loon in direct comparison with 
Common Loons (there were 15 Common Loons in the immediate area). The 
bill appeared dark and more or less straight. The crown was dark gray to 
black, and there was a black area between the bill and eye. There were 
no whitish spots anterior to or above the eye (see Auk 19:413-415). There 
was a distinct whitish cheek patch which diffused at the peripherys. The 
BLACK BETWEEN BILL AND EYE 
GR 
WHITE CHEEK PATCH AY NAPE 
WHITE FEATHER EDGINGS ON BACK 
SEMBLANCE OF BAND 
ARCTIC LOON 
November 3, 1974, Lake Springfield, IL 
neck was thinner than that of the Common Loon. The nape was gray and 
outlined along the leading edge and base with black. The throat and breast 
were whitish with a semblance of a dark band on the neck near the lower 
