JAN., 1909. BIRDS OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN CORY. 277 



until the ice forms. Where there is open water, both on Lake Michi- 

 gan and in the interior, many remain all winter." (Birds of Wiscon- 

 sin, 1903, p. 5.) 



3. Colymbus auritus LINN. 



HORNED GREBE. 



Distr.: Northern Hemisphere, breeding from the northern United 

 States northward. 



Adult in summer: Bill, deeper than wide at base; top of head, 

 back of neck and throat, greenish black; lores, pale chestnut brown; 



a tuft of ochraceous feathers on sides of 

 head behind the eye; front of neck and 

 breast, chestnut brown; sides of body, 

 chestnut brown; belly, white. 



Adult in winter, and immature: Upper 

 parts, blackish or grayish black; under 

 parts, silvery white, often tinged with 

 gray on throat and breast ; no developed 

 tufts behind the eye. 



Length, about 14 inches (12.60 to 15 ); 

 wing, about 5.70; bill, about .90. 



The Horned Grebe is apparently not 

 uncommon at times in Illinois and 

 Colymbus auntus. Wisconsin during the migrations, and a 



(Breeding plumage.) 



few remain to breed.* It arrives from 

 the south in April and breeds in May and Jurfe. 



"Occurs commonly during the migrations breeds sparingly in 

 the small lakes." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 150.) "Still 

 fairly common as a spring and autumn migrant; not infrequently 

 nests in the northern part of the state as it formerly did even in the 

 southern tier of counties. Young, a few days old, were procured at 

 Lake Koshkonong during June, 1880." (Kumlien and Hollister, 

 Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 5. ) 



The nest of the Horned Grebe is a mass of weeds in shallow water, 

 sometimes floating attached to reeds, and again placed on a nearly 

 submerged tussock. The eggs are usually 4 to 7, dull white, more or 

 less stained with brown. They measure about 1.75 x 1.15 inches. 



4. Colymbus nigricollis californicus (HEERM.). 



AMERICAN EARED GREBE. 



Distr.: Northern and western North America, from the Missis- 

 sippi Valley west to the Pacific, south to Central America (Guatemala). 



