Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

Nest.—Made of a mass of decayed weeds and rushes, floating in shallow ponds or on the edges of lakes among the rushes. Five to 8 brownish white eggs are laid (1.70 × 1.18).

Range.—Whole of N. A., breeding in small colonies or pairs.

LOON; GREAT NORTHERN DIVER.

7. Gavia immer. 31 to 35 inches.

In shape and motions the loons very much resemble the [grebes], except in size, being much larger. The common loon is the most beautiful of them all, having a velvety black iridescent head with slashes of white on the throat and neck and spots of white on the wings and back.

Nest.—Usually built under some shelter of bushes or rushes on the edge of some of the larger ponds or lakes. The two eggs are a yellowish brown, with black spots (3.50 × 2.25).

PACIFIC LOON.

10. Gavia pacifica. 30 to 32 inches.

This species differs from the [Loon] in having the crown gray, and white streaks down the back of the neck, and in the color reflections of the black on the head. It is a trifle smaller also.