Thanks to Don Burggraf for his timely and accurate description of the interesting Loon above Conowingo Dam. And thanks to Rick Blom whose sharp eyes picked it up this morning after our long hike up the river (more on directions later). Rick arrived shortly before I did (9:30 AM) but I caught up with him about a half mile upstream. We hiked up the Cecil Co. side to the point just opposite Broad Creek where 6-8 D-c. Cormorants, 8-10 Common Loons 2 Forster's Terns and perhaps 30 gulls (mostly Bonaparte's) were feeding on the Harford Co. side of the river. We scoped the area for about 1/2 hour and were edging toward resignation that the interesting loon was not there. That's when Rick found it, at about 10:30 AM, feeding by itself near the far shore - almost a mile away. We were using Swarovski spotting scopes at 60 power. The Pacific Loon (PALO) had an almost dainty bill and a smoothly rounded head with a nape that looked puffed up. The sun was behind us on the left. As we studied the PALO, cloud cover moved in to give us near perfect neutral light. With the improved light we could see that the forehead was dark but the crown and nape were silvery gray with a very dark back. The crown extended down below the eye, and there was a dusky cheek patch surrounded on three sides by the dark sides of the crown and neck. Residual adult plumage extended from below the ear patch to below the throat where the "chin strap" would be expected. The nape wrapped around the neck so that the white of the neck was restricted to the front. At the forward edge of the nape was a darker band that ran down the side of the neck, narrowest below the ears and widest at the base of the neck, so wide in fact that the two neck bands met on the back at the base of the nape. The effect was striking when the bird was viewed from behind because the gray nape tapered down to a point where it met the back. Viewed from in front, the dark forehead appeared to be continuous with the dark bands down the side of the neck, forming a frame around the dusky throat and white neck. In time the PALO crossed over to the Cecil Co. side, being only a bit more than 1/3 of the way across the river. At this time it was in the close company of a Common Loon (COLO), with which it interacted while feeding. The PALO was about 2/3 the length and size of the COLO. Its bill was perhaps 2/3 the length and less than 1/2 the thickness at the base compared to the COLO's, and was uniformly dark with a grayish cast. There was no sign of markings on the back, and the head showed no evidence of the bumps and flat crown of the COLO. In behavior the PALO was much more agile, exhibiting rapid movements such as darting around on the surface in pursuit of schooling fish. At times it preened and exhibited a white underside with dark legs and feet. It never rolled over far enough to see a vent strap. A preening COLO had dark legs and feet with pink centers to the webs, seen only when the foot was spread. The best viewing is from the Cecil Co. side of the river along the railroad tracks. After crossing Conowingo Dam on US 1 take a left at the light onto Rock Springs Road. Proceed almost a mile to a left on Mt. Zoar Rd. which runs about 2 miles as it winds down the hill to a boat launch. Continue over the bridge and up the hill on the other side of the creek. Shortly after the road straightens out parallel to the river there is a small cutout on the left shoulder (the beginning of a former ramp down to the railroad tracks). Two to three cars can be squeezed into this small area. Walk down the blocked-off ramp and hike upstream about 1 3/4 miles. There is a long straight stretch, a bend to the right, another long straight stretch then a prolonged curve to the left that brings you to a sharp right curve around a point, which is the closest approach to the far side. This puts you almost directly opposite the mouth of Broad Creek where there are numerous small houses. We first saw the PALO to the right of the creek along a rocky cliff face. Later it moved to the left of the creek before coming across toward our location. At no time in the five hours that we were there did it leave the vicinity of Broad Creek. This is the same location where a PALO was seen during the winter of 1997-1998. It is possible that it spent the entire winter, and perhaps again last year and may do so again this winter. But it was not easy to find in 1997 and may require patience. Alternatively, bring Rick with you. Other observers were Harvey and Marion Mudd, who came in response to Don's message, and Mark and Amy Hoffman and Les Eastman, the latter three summoned by cell phone (it works). I hope lots of you can see this bird - and photograph it if possible. Paul O'Brien Rockville, MD pobrien776@aol.com