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National Geographic : 1989 Apr
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take up an entire block in downtown Minneapolis will, when com plete, be christened Gaviidae Common, honoring the scientific family name for loons. UNGAINLY AND AWKWARD on turf, loons are marvel ously built for the water. With relatively small wings, they seem like feathered seals underwater, where they twist, turn, and pivot faster than most fish, their chief prey. Their powerful legs are com pletely enclosed within the body; only ankles and feet protrude. Heavy bones, not honeycombed with air sacs as most bird bones are, further equip them to be agile divers and strong underwater swimmers. Loons rely on superb eyes to locate their food and pursue it un derwater. Prowling for fish, a loon slightly submerges its head and slowly turns it from side to side to look deep into the water in a unique behavior termed peering. The Common Loon Criesfor Help 517
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