The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-07-26
"AS CRAZY AS A LOOM"
Old Phrase Seemingly Not Libel on
That Eccentric Bird.
st. Nicholas.

st. Nicholas.
"One often hears the expression,
AS crazy as a loon, and yet I won
der" SAYS a writer in st. Nicholas
chow many realize how peculiarly
fitting it some times is. Of all the
birds and animals that have come
under my observation know Of none
that in any degree approaches the
loon for sheer crasiness or weird
ness.
Evening seems to be the looms
favorite time for their peculiar be-
havior. They collect in the middle OF
a lake, and when they have sum-
moned all Of their kind within hear
ing the ball commences. They raise
their bodies half out Of water by
furiously tapping their wings, at the
same time making a most terrific
splashing.
They then propel themselves back
ward and forward, half swimming,
half flying, all the while screaming at
the top Of their voices. They keep
this up from l to 10 minutes, and seem
to get great deal of satisfaction out
Of it. In the calm of summers even
ing, and aided bit by the echoes, a
half dozen looms can make the fel-
lows in college cheering section
hang their heads for shame.
"The loon is not only crazy acting,
but at times is very aggravating. Per-
haps, for instance, after hard day
you are sitting by the camp fire, quiet
ly smoking and at peace with the
whole world, suddenly there breaks
upon your ears the most bloodcurd-
lipg scream, followed by heart-rend-
ing cries. Your first thought is that
there is a child being murdered or a
woman in distress, and you start
to your feet. Then you realize that it
is only loon.
"Or perhaps, having turned in, you
are sleeping the sleep that comes
only in the pine-scented north. Again
you start and wake as you hear a
long, mournful cry echoing through
the forest, and involuntarily exclaim,
'Wclves!' There is grunt, and the
sleepy voice Of your guide comes from
the depth of his blankets, Non,
Loom
''In the morning a hunter arises
bent on vengeance for his broken
repose, and resolves to destroy the
fend as he sits mirrored in the lake.
Although the modern cartridge rife
gives no warning Of the shot, as did
the old-fashioned fintlock, with it's
flash in the pan,' nevertheless the
loon nearly every time seems to
know when the bullet is coming and
dives just in time to escape Imme-
diately after the discharge of the rifle,
the loon is serenely up again, his
mocking laughter being but All added
irritation. On the whole, he seems
rather to enjoy the performance.
CAS- a diver the loon excels, and
naturally, for it is his sole means Of
livelihood Not only is he marvel
ously quick, but he can remain under
water for a seemingly endless time.
In swimming under water he uses
both wings and feet, and can go for
several hundred yards in this fash
ion. The loon, like many other water
fowls, sleeps on the water with bis
head tucked under his wing.
Several summers ago friend Of
mine, while camped on Lake Kiamika,
was out for an early morning paddle
1t was just after dawn and very still.
Out on the lake he espied a sleeping
loon, and by dint of careful padding
he actually succeeded in approaching
and capturing him. Proud of his cap
ture, he took the loon ashore and teth-
cred him to a stake. The loon strug-
gled at first, but after while seemed
to become reconciled. All went we'll
until nightfall. Then the loon set up
such hideous outcry, and kept it up