14 HISTORY OF THE 



water. The eggs in several touched the water, and were more 

 or less stained in their wet beds. The color of the eggs when 

 fresh was white, with a slight bluish shade. The average meas- 

 urement of the ten eggs was 1.81 by 1.20 inches. I watched 

 the birds closely during the three days I remained there. Those 

 out upon the lake were noisy and active, keeping near the cen- 

 ter and closely together. It was their courtship and mating 

 ground, but the birds in going to and from their nesting places 

 were silent and watchful. In leaving their nests, they would 

 dive and come up quite a distance away and swim rapidly for 

 the flock in the lake. I noticed at all times, not far from the 

 breeding grounds, from five to eight birds, evidently sentinels, 

 sitting upon the water with their heads high, ever upon the look- 

 out and ready to give the alarm, but slow to leave their station, 

 in fact, never leaving the little bay, but taking good care to 

 #keep out of reach. As soon as I passed by, the birds fright- 

 ened from their nests would cautiously but quickly return and 

 join the sentinels, from which point they would dive and come 

 up within the rushes. In no instance did I see them swim to 

 or from their nests; they may, however, do so when not dis- 

 turbed. 



In general habits and actions the birds do not appear to dif- 

 fer from others of the family. 



Genus PODILYMBUS Lessok. 

 •' Size medium; bill very stout, the length of the culmeu less than twice the 

 basal depth; bill much shorter than the head, the culmeu much carved termi- 

 nally; tarsus shorter than the middle toe without claw. No tufts in summer 

 plumage but bill particolored, and throat ornamented by a black patch." 



Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.). 



PIED-BILLED GREBE. 

 PLATE I. 



Summer resident; not uncommon; in migration abundant. 

 Arrive the last of April to first of May. Begin laying early in 

 May. Remain until late in the fall. 



B. 709. R. 735. C. 853. G. 319, 3. U. 6. 



Habitat. British Provinces southward into northern South 

 America, breeding nearly throughout its range. 



