Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-02-05
A LOON ON THE LAKE.
ONE OF NATURES QUEER
FREAKS IN BIRDS.
lte Weird and Tragic Cries = Frequent Cause
Of Alarm for 4enderfset- Dimeulty
in Shooting 7hcm--Ilew the
Bird Laughs.

"When nature turned the lotr cut
OF her workshop she completed job
TT once bold and original" said an old
aud observant native. Of the Lake
Keuka country, according 10 writer
in the New York Sun. 1T is safe to
COLL the loon either a bird or an
animal. for it has the feathers OF one.
the fur of the other and the heert OF
both. The fur is on the breast and
neck and under side Of the Looms
body. II is much OF the same quality
as beavers. A cloak made OF looms
fur would be a dainty wrap for the
danticst lady in this or any other land.
The feathers OF IL loon cover its back
and wings. They are soft and fleecy,
but as hard to pluck as pulling teeth.
They have a popularity that nothing
in nature except porcupines' quilts
have. Looms feathers have the Same
popularity. and it is impossible to
keep them inside of pillow or
cushion two hours at a time.
the loon is particul rly gifted with
. voice. At one time this curious
creature can frighten the life out OF
you, almost, by snorting for all the
world like an enraged bear. and the
next minute will surprise you by COO
ing almost a. softly as a ring dove.
But night is the time when the loon
comes out strongest "a striking vocal
list. No one who hears for tho first
time the song Of the loon at night.
amid the solitude of q lakeside camp,
high among isolated hills. will ever be
able to forget it. In the summer.
when the nights are moonlit the loon
seems best to love to show his accom-
plishments in vocal way. The great
est of these is its power OF vcntrilo-
qLism. If you have lived much in the
vicinity OF buckwoods lakes. you have
undoubtedly often heard woodsmen
tell OF the ventriloquial gifts Of the
loon. but il you never had auricular
proof OF it you, Of course. doubted the
existence OF such power. You won't
doubt it after you hear it. will
never forget the time was convinced
o: it. ! had seen plenty OF looms here
on Lake Keuka. but I had never been
whore they spent their summers. Ono
summer l was camping in the North
Woods with native guide. Our tent
was only q few feet from the shore OF
one Of the numerous small lakes in
that region. lay In the tent one
night watching the spectral play OF
the moonbeams on the water. in aud
out among the shadows. gliding the
noiseloss ripples till the surface SEEM
ed FURNISHED sheet OF hammered
brass. The silence was oppressive.
Suddenly there arose from the lake.
and apparently from its farthest shore.
prolonged, half-satistied vail. 1t
gradually increased in volume until it
WAS almost II shrek. which died away
in n wall similar to tho one with
which the stirling cry had begun.
The wall was still in my cars whom a
blood yell-a yell expressi We
of supreme terror, smote the silence.
1t came from somewhere on the shore
near tho tent and 10 the right of it.
Tx frightful yell ended in wild
burst OF demonical sound. 1t was still
echoing through the forest when. from
| the left shore of the | ke, aud far
away. a moan. as OF utter hopeless
mess and despair, broke on the solemn
stiffness. rising and falling away in to
silence with cadence SO sad that Il
sense OF most burdening melancholy
succeeded to the influence OF tn.
forests midnight quiet As soon as l
could shake off the depression 1t
weighed me with / arose hurriedly
and seized my gun. ! awokc my COM
p MON and told him OF tho fearful
sounds | had heard.
My companion pointed to the lake.
There. gliding slowly on the surface.
its long neck and bill outlined dis
tinct!y as it Aoated in the moonlight,
was tho loon. 1t had come out from
the shadows near the shore. not three
rods away. ! stepped forward quickly
with my gun. Instantly tho long
neck disappeared and rim OF shin
mering ripples on the surface Of the
AXE alone marked the spot where the
strange creature had been.
When he comes up ag'in he'll
morn likely be mile away" said the
guide. You won't see him as'in to-
night. but tho chances is that you II
hear him.
perhaps five minutes passed. and
then two loud. wild. stnccato notes,
sounding but few rods away. came
from the lake. They were quickly
followed by series OF exultant
chuckles. which seemed near when
they began. but grew fainter with
each succeeding chuckle until the last
one was heard but fuintly In the