One further note on the loon. Jim Stasz asked me whether I had ruled out pacific loon. No, I hadn't, but I was cautious suggesting such an ID because I have never seen a pacific loon in basic plumage, let alone one in Maryland. Jim advised me to consult Ken Kauffman's Advanced Birding. I noticed an detail in Kauffman's book which conforms to my observations: the bird showed a dark hind-neck which tapered to a point as it ascended to the nape. As seen from the rear, the hind-neck looked like an inverted tapered triangle pointing to a gray nape and crown. I have not seen any literature which points to this mark on any other loon. I hope others can find this bird. Don Burggraf Baltimore >From: "Don Burggraf" <dburggraf@hotmail.com> >Reply-To: mdosprey@ARI.Net >To: mdosprey@ARI.Net >Subject: Re: [MDOsprey] greater white-fronted goose at Conowingo >Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1999 05:16:31 PST > >I was walking down a railroad track near the river. I drove on Baldfriar >Road (DeLorme page 76 A3) to the end of the pavement, and then walked the >rest of the way to the river. When I got to the river, I turned right, and >walked North until I was past a wall of rock (on my right). At the next >open space in the trees, I set up my scope. > > >Don > >>From: PObrien776@aol.com >>Reply-To: mdosprey@ARI.Net >>To: mdosprey@ARI.Net >>Subject: Re: [MDOsprey] greater white-fronted goose at Conowingo >>Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1999 22:17:31 EST >> >>Don, >> >>What you describe sounds like a basic plumaged Pacific Loon. Where >>exactly >>did you see this bird? And where were you? Please give us specific >>directions. Many would be interested. >> >>Thanks, >> >>Paul O'Brien >>pobrien776@aol.com >> > >______________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com