"There are four species of Loons: the Common, the Arctic, the Red-throated, and the Yellow-billed. They inhabir North America, Europe, and Asia, migrating north in summer (some as far as the Arctic)to nest and raise their young; they lay two eggs. The winter finds nearly all Loons on salt water - along continental coasts, south to Baja, the Gulf of Mexico, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. Although there is much overlapping, each species has its own preferences of range and exact environment.

Loons make their nests of mud and vegetation at the edge of fresh water, always including slip-ways for escaping predators. Loons are nearly helpless on land and can gain flight only from water. They usually die if they are grounded during migration. Loons, with their legs and webbed feet set far back on their bodies, are wonderfully suited to diving and swimming; they often swim with all but head and neck submerged. Their food is fish.
'Of all the wild creatures that exist in New England, the Loon seems best to typify the stark wildness of primeval nature.'..........Forbush"