26 



BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



Holbcell's has the habit peculiar to other members of the Grebe 

 famil}' of covering its eggs with vegetable matter when it has occa- 

 sion to be away from the nest, so that incubation goes on during the 

 absence of the mother-bird. 



The migrations of the species extend across the Province, for it is 

 reported as a visitor in spring and fall at Ottawa, Hamilton, London 

 and the Detroit River. The visits are always short, and the manners 

 of the birds while here are shy and retiring. 



For many years the young of this species was described as the 

 Crested Grehe, owing to the close resemblance it bears to the British 

 bird of that name. Dr. Brewer was the first to point out the 

 error, which is now corrected in all modern works on American 

 Ornithology. 



, v4i/''^^-^' 





SuBGEMs DYTE8 Kaup. 

 COLYMBUS AUHTTTS Linx 



•-'. Horned Grebe. (3) 



Tarsus about eijual to the middle toe without its claw ; l)ill much shorter 

 than the head, little more than half the tarsus, romprcxscd, highei- than wide at 

 the nostrils, rather obtuse; crests and rufl's highly developed. Small, length 

 about 14; extent, 24; wing, 6 or less; bill, about i; tarsus, 1.^. Adult:— 

 Above, dark brown, the feathers paler edged ; below, silvery-white, the .sides 

 mixed duskv and lohlisli ; mf)st of the secondaries wliitc: foic neck and ui)ptT 



