The black-throated loon (Gavia arctica) is a migratory aquatic bird that primarily breeds in freshwater lakes in northern Europe and Asia. It winters along sheltered, ice-free coasts of the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. First formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, it is about 70 centimetres (28 in) long and can weigh from 1.3 to 3.4 kilograms (2.9 to 7.5 lb). In breeding plumage, it has mostly black upperparts, a grey head and hindneck, white and black sides, mostly white underparts and flanks, and a mostly black throat. The loon builds an oval-shaped nest about 23 centimetres (9.1 in) across, in vegetation on or near the breeding lake. It usually lays two eggs, brown-green with dark splotches. Chicks are fed a diet of small fish and invertebrates, contrasting with the mostly fish diet of the adult. Overall, the population of this loon is declining, but the species is not threatened. It is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-throated_loon

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1748:

The first Lutheran denomination in North America, the Pennsylvania Ministerium, was founded in Philadelphia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Ministerium

1914:

First World War: The German colony of Togoland surrendered to French and British forces after a 20-day campaign. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togoland_campaign

1959:

The Coatzacoalcos earthquake struck near the Mexican state of Veracruz, killing 25 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959_Coatzacoalcos_earthquake

1968:

The U.S. Democratic Party's National Convention opened in Chicago, sparking four days of clashes between anti-Vietnam War protesters and police. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Democratic_National_Convention

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

pug: 1. Senses relating to someone or something small. 2. In full pug dog: a small dog of an ancient breed originating in China, having a snub nose, wrinkled face, squarish body, short smooth hair, and curled tail. 3. 4. In full pug moth, often with a descriptive word: any geometrid moth of the tribe Eupitheciini, especially the genus Eupithecia; a geometer moth. 5. (clothing, historical) In full pug hood: a hood, sometimes with a short cloak attached, worn by women around the middle of the 18th century. 6. (rail transport) In full pug engine: a small locomotive chiefly used for shunting (“moving trains from one track to another, or carriages from one train to another”). 7. (UK, regional, archaic) Also used as a proper name: any of various animals, such as a ferret, hare, squirrel, or young salmon. 8. (specifically) Synonym of teg (“a sheep (originally a ewe) in its second year, or from the time it is weaned until it is first shorn”) 9. (specifically, obsolete) An ape, a monkey; also (by extension) a human child. 10. (specifically, obsolete) A fox. 11. (UK, regional, rare) A person or thing that is squat (“broad and short”). 12. (US, regional) A bun or knot of hair; also, a piece of cloth or snood for holding this in place. 13. (obsolete) A small demon; an imp, a puck, a sprite. [...] https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pug

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Knowledge is the only power — now as ever. A little mechanical device will wreck your navies. A new chemical combination will upset every rule of war. It is the same with our commerce. One or two minute changes might sink Britain to the level of Ecuador, or give China the key of the world's wealth. And yet we never dream that these things are possible. We think our castles of sand are the ramparts of the universe.   --John Buchan https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Buchan