Page:The Bird Book.djvu/21

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DIVING BIRDS


10. PACIFIC Loox. Gavia pacifica.

Range.—Western North America along the coast chiefly, breeding from Alaska south to British Columbia. In winter, south along the coast to Mexico.

This species differs from the Black-throated only in the tint of the head reflections. The habits are the same as those of the other members of the family. They lay two eggs of a greenish brown or greenish gray hue with black spots. Size 3.10 x 1.90. Data. Yukon River, Alaska, June 28, 1902. Nest of rubbish on an island; found by a miner.

11. RED-THROATED LOON. Gavia stellata.

Range.—Northern parts of North America, breeding from southern Canada northward in the interior on both coasts. South to the middle portions of the United States in winter.

This is the smallest of the Loon family, being twenty-five inches in length. In plumage it is wholly unlike any of the other members at all seasons of the year. In summer the back, head and neck are gray, the latter being striped with white. A large chestnut patch adorns the front of the lower part of the neck. In winter the back is spotted with white, whereas all the others are unspotted at this period. The nesting habits are identical with the other species; the ground color of the two eggs is also the same. Size, 2.00 x 1.75.

Pacific Loon

Red-throated Loon

PACIFIC LOON Greenish brown or gray

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