82 WATER BIRDS 



bj the mate of the nesting bird. In no case was there 

 any attempt at nest-bnildiug. 



When watching this bird stride over the rocks with a 

 queer stilted motion, one is impressed with the idea 

 that its odd gait is the effect of self-consciousness. So 

 shy is it that it keeps up a constant nervous turning of 

 its head in search of danger, and takes alarm at the least 

 unusual sight in the distance. The call note is a low, 

 rather musical whistle. 



BIRDS FOUND IN BAYOUS 

 AND MARSHES 



1. WESTERN GREBE. — jEchmophorus occidentalis. 



Family : The Grebes. 



Length: 27.50. 



Adult Plumage : Top of head and stripe down back of neck black ; rest 

 of upper parts brownish gray ; lower parts, including sides of head 

 and all of neck except stripe down back, glossy white ; bill long and 

 yellowish white, with black stripe down upper mandible from base 

 to tip. 



Downy Young: Above uniform light brownish gray ; under parts white. 



Geographical Distrihution : Western North America from Lower Cali- 

 fornia to British Columbia ; east to Manitoba. 



Breeding Range : Breeds locally nearly throughout its habitat. 



Breeding Season: Approximately, May 15 to July 1. 



Nest : A mass of floating vegetation on the surface of the water in a slough 

 or marsh, and usually fastened to surrounding rushes. 



Eggs: 2 to 5 ; soiled bluish green. Size 2.50 X 1.40. 



j^chmophorus occidentalis is the largest of all the 

 North American grebes, but not the most comuion. It is 

 found in the marshy portions of the inland lakes on the 

 Pacific coast and throuo^hout the Western States. Gre- 



