338 BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND AND EASTERN NEW YORK 



pure white of its under parts, and when it opens its wings by 

 the white wing-patch. (See, also, the following species.) 



Holbcell's Grebe. Colymhus holbcellii 



19.00 



Ad. in Late spring. — Top of head and hind neck black ; back 

 and wings blackish; throat and sides of head grayish-ivhite ; fore 

 neck brownish-red, deepening on the sides ; breast white, spotted 

 with reddish; belly silver-white ; wing-patch white. Ad. in early 

 fall. — Similar to above, but the red paler, often very pale. Ad. 

 in winter and Im. — Upper parts blackish ; throat whitish ; neck 

 brownish; under parts whitish ; wing-patch white. 



Holboell's Grebe is a common migrant along the coast in 

 October, and in April and May, and a rather uncommon 

 winter visitant. It comes fairly close in-shore, sometimes in 

 company with others of its species, often with the Horned 

 Grebe or the loons. When with the Horned Grebe, its 

 larger size is evident ; when alone, its brownish fore neck 

 will distinguish it from its smaller relative. The Red- 

 throated Loon, however, though evidently larger when 

 seen with Holboell's Grebe, complicates the problem, and 

 often makes the identity of a lone diving bird of medium 

 size a puzzling question. If the bird is a grebe, the ivhite 

 wing-patch will show when it shakes its wings or flies. 

 A grebe's flight, too, is not so steady and strong as that 

 of a loon, nor does its neck seem so thick. If the upper 

 parts can be seen at close range, the white spots on the 

 loon will distinguish it. 



