76 THE OOLOGIST. 



1. iEchmophorus occidentalis (Lawr.) [729.j 



Western Grebe. 

 Habitat. Wester.) North American. 



This is the largest of the Grebes in North America. Its distribution 

 extends from Mexico and Lower California on the south, to Washingt<jn 

 Territory and the Red lliver region on tlie north, breeding nearly through- 

 out this entire range. 



A common summer resident at Utah Lake and also at Lake Malheur, 

 in Eastern Oregon, thence eastward to the extensive marshes of Shoal 

 Ijake, in Manitoba, where it breeds adundantly. 



Mr. Edward Stebbins found it breeding in an arm of Devils Lake, 

 Dakota, in the first part of June, at which time all the eggs were more 

 or less incubated. He estimates the numbers of nests observed to be 

 about two hundred in an area of an acre and a half. They Avere built in 

 w ater three or four feet deep, and vrere made of reeds and sedges matted 

 together and fa.stened to the tall, rank gi-ass, so as to float on the 

 surface. 



It is a remarkable fact that the Grebes cover their nests* with weeds 

 and other vegetable matter before leaving them, so that incubation may 

 continue during their absence. 



Only a few of the nests observed by Mr. Stebbins were cov(>red; tie 

 tall grass obstructed the view of the birds, so that when approached they 

 would hurriedly slip off the nests, and leave the eggs exposed. The only 

 birds seen were those in the vicinity of the nests, and they swam away 

 Avith their heads and necks above water, making a kind of cackling noise. 

 In their habits they resemble the Loon, diving or swimming under water 

 with the greatest ease; and, when on the wing, they fly with wonderful 

 rapidity for birds of their nature. 



The eggs of this species are from two to five in number, elliptical 

 oval in shape, very pale liluish green in color; and, Kke all Grebes' eggs, 

 the surface is stained a light brown, or very much soiled by contact with 

 the decomposed vegetable matter of the nests. 



Mr. Walter E. Bryant, of Oakland, California, has a set of five eggs 

 in his collection, which were taken at Washoe Lake, Neveda, in the latter 

 part of May. These measure as follow: 59 x 39, 63 x 39, 58.5 x 38, 

 60 X 38, 59 X 39.5 mm.^^ Three sets in my collection, two of five eggs 

 and one of four, taken by Mr. Stebbins, measure: 2.32 x 1.58, 2.40 x 1.57, 

 2.50x1.53, 2.46 xL58, 2.48x1.60; 2.14 x 1.48, 2.27 x L54, 2.30 x L63, 

 2.29 xL58, 2.28x1.53; 2.44 x 1.52, 2.37 x L47, 2.52 x L44, 

 2.45 xL47. 



The bird known as Clark's Grebet is probably the female of ^fj. 

 occidenfalis.X 



»2.:i2 X l.U, 2.48 l..i4. 2..B0 l.'M. 2. 30 .K l..Mt, -Z.m x 156. 

 tPlaced in tUe " llvpothellcal List" of the A . O. U. Ciieclc-Kiht. 



tCf. Hensliaw. Bull. Mutt. Orn. ("lub, VI, 1S81. pp. 214 21k; B. B. and K., Water IMrds N. .Vm.. II, p. 

 4;!3: Brvant. Auk.. U. pp. 813 314. 



