GREBES 5 



ORDER PYGOPODES: DIVING BIRDS. 

 (Families Podigipid.e, Gaviid.e, Alcid^.) 



FAMILY PODICIPIDiE: GREBES. 



KEY TO GENERA. 



1. Bill long' and slender, tip not decurved. 



2. Bill five or more times as long- as depth at base. 



^chmophorus, p. 5. 

 2'. Bill less than four times as long as depth at base. 



Colynibus, p. (*». 

 r. Bill short and stont, tip of upper mandible decurved. 



Podilymbus, p. S. 



GENUS JECHMOPHORUS. 



1. ^chmophorus oceidentalis (Lawr.). Western Grebe. 

 Head without side 

 crests; billslendui; 

 neck nearly as Ioiil; 

 as body. Adults : 

 top of head and line 

 down back of neck 

 blackish ; Ixiek 



slaty gi-ay ; thro.ir 

 and under parts sil- 

 very white. Mull : 

 length 24-"21>, win^ 

 7.4o-8.50.billLMHt 

 3.05. Ff^7tiaie: 

 smaller, bill 2.10- 

 2.48. 



Distribution. — From tlie Pacific to Manitoba, 

 to British Columbia and Alberta. 



Nest, — Floating on the water, a raft of tule stems, grass, and water 

 plants, with a slight depression in the centre. Eggs : 4 to "j, white. 



To find the western grebe at home go to the tule-bordered lakes 

 of eastern Oregon. Creep through the tall grass and part the Miles 

 on the edge of a clear pond, and right before you on the water is the 

 grebe, with its silvery throat, gracefid form, and fiery eye. A sud- 

 den motion of your hand, and the necdk'-liUe bill pierces tlie water 

 and the bird disappears like a flash of liglit, to reappear a U\\\ 

 minute later well beyond siiot gun range from shore. If you make 

 yourself known less suddenly the grebe instead of diving sinks 

 slowly and without a ripple, never to reappear e.xeept far away or 

 in some hidden part of the tules. 



As you watch t lie birds out in the lake, itoppini; up and remain- 

 ing long enough for a good breath. I ben going below to stay a much 



