THE HOLBCELL GREBE. 629 



cinnamon-rufous, shading on fore-breast into the silvery white of remaining 

 under parts ; posterior feathers dusky-tinged ; bill bluish dusky, varied by yellow 

 on lower mandible; feet and legs black. Adult in winter and commonly: Similar 

 but duller and sides of head pure white; the rufous persistent only on sides of 

 neck, and paler, the red replaced by ashy-brown or dull whitish ; not crested. 

 I in mat 11 re: Similar to adult in winter but duller; without any rufous; under- 

 pays grayish white ; neck and breast ashy-fuscous, throat and sides of head lighter, 

 but not white; bill lighter; feet and legs mottled with yellow. Length 18.00-20.00 

 (457-2-508.); wing 7.70 (195.6); bill 1.90 (48.3); tarsus 2.50 (63.51. 



Recognition Marks. — Something under Mallard size ; head pattern dis- 

 tinctive in breeding plumage; large size distinctive for Ohio at any season. 



Nesting. — Does not breed in Ohio. Nest, a heap of half-submerged or float- 

 ing vegetation in pond or reedy lake margin. Eggs, 2-5, dull greenish white; ex- 

 cept when fresh, heavily nest-stained. Av. size. 2.25 x 1.35 (57.2 x 34.3). 



General Range. — North America at large including Greenland. Also east- 

 ern Siberia and southward to Japan. Breeds in high latitudes, migrating south 

 in winter. 



Range in Ohio. — Rare migrant. Found chiefly on Lake Erie and the larger 

 reservoirs. 



ALTHO lacking the odd head-ornaments which some of the smaller 

 divers boast during the nuptial season, the Holbcell is a handsome fellow, and 

 in the spring plumage the flash of the rufous upon the lower neck, in sharp 

 contrast with the ashy white of throat and cheeks, is unmistakable. 



Like all other Grebes the young of this species tumble out of the 

 shell into the water, and the saturated mass of decaying vegetation which 

 for a time held the eggs is never known as .home. When the brood is hatched 

 the young birds clamber upon the mother's back, and have a ride quite to 

 their liking. Nothing more convenient than this floating palace could have 

 been devised, besides being a raft and a diving bell(e), it is fitted up with 

 feather-stuffed cushions for repose, and upon it meals are served frequently 

 a la Grebe, — since, it is said, the mother can twist her neck around without 

 difficulty and bestow a selected morsel upon whom she will of the expectant 

 brood. 



The adult bird customarily prepares for diving by first giving a little 

 upward spring, and then turning suddenly with the body almost clear of the 

 water to shoot down head foremost. It is however, quite as able as others 

 of the family to flash out of sight without the spring-board motion, or else 

 to fade away after the manner of the polite Frenchman. Last fall upon 

 the Licking Reservoir, as I was lying in wait off shore for ducks. I was 

 approached by what I took to be a bird of this species. Really desirous of 

 securing the specimen I shot at fair range, using an extra rapid smokeless 

 powder. The fellow was possessed, — not only by spirits, but by an inexhaust- 

 able fund of good nature, for each time I shot he vanished, I know not how, 

 only to reappear instantly, unscathed and smiling, to paddle a little nearer. 



