GREBES 7 



The Holbcell grebe nests in isolated pairs in reeds along the mar- 

 gins of shallow, fish-frequented lakes, preferably in forested country, 

 but also in prairie regions. 



Subgenus Dytes. 



3. Colymbus auritus Linn. HORNED GREBE. 



About the size of the dabchick, but slenderer ; sexes similar ; cheeks 

 and sides of head with crests or ruffs in adults. 

 Breeding plumage : sides of head with yellow tufts 

 of silky feathers, rest of head and throat black ; 

 upper parts dusky; lower neck, chest, and sides 

 rufous; breast silvery white. Winter adults ami 

 young: crests scant or wanting ; throat white ; sides 

 with little or no rufous. Length: 12.50-15.25, wing- 

 about 5.75, bill about .85-1.00. 



Remarks. - The young can usually be distin- 

 guished from young californicus by the bill, which is 

 higher than wide at base. 



Distribution. Northern part of northern hemi- 

 sphere, breeding in North America chiefly north 

 of the United States; migrating south over the 



United States. Fig. 21. 



Nest. Made of reeds, grass, and mud, attached 

 to reeds, or 011 floating masses of sticks and sedges. Eggs : 5 to 8. 



In full plumage, with their big crests and mufflers and rich colors, 

 the horned grebes easily rank as the handsomest of their family. 

 In the United States they are seen on their migration journeys 

 usually in small flocks, late in fall or following close on the retreat- 

 ing ice in spring. In their northern summer home their habits are 

 said to be similar to those of other grebes. 



4. Colymbus nigricollis californicus (Heerm.). EARED GREBE. 



Breeding plumage. A fan-shaped tuft of yellow silky feathers on each 

 side of head ; rest of head, neck, and chest black ; back blackish ; sides 

 brown; breast silvery white. Winter plumage and young : upper parts and 

 sides dusky ; throat and ear patch white or grayish ; bill slender, wider 

 than deep at base ; crests wanting. Length : 12-14, wing 5.30, bill 1. 



Distribution. Western North America, east to the Mississippi, north to 

 Great Slave Lake, south to Guatemala, breeding throughout most of its 

 range. 



Nest. Floating on shallow water in ponds or lakes ; made of rushes. 

 Eggs : 4 to 6, soiled white. 



In the Great Basin country where tall tules grow half way across 

 some of the big shallow lakes, the eared grebes have made their 

 homes for ages, raising their young in peace and as much quiet as 

 the cackling of coots anc 1 rails, the quacking of ducks, and laughing 

 of stilts and avocets would allow. Out in the open ponds diving for 

 minnows, gliding among the dark tule stems, or brooding on their 

 floating nests and caring for their downy black chicks, they have 



