BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 



79 



The Horned Grebe is intermediate in size between the Holboell's Grebe, 

 which is considerably larger, and the Dabchick which is only a little smaller. 

 The latter bird is, however, very rarely to be found on the ocean, and may be 

 distinguished also by its brownish upper breast. All the Horned Grebes seen 

 in the autumn are in immature or winter plumage. In flight, the white tips of 

 the secondary wing feathers are noticeable. 



3 [6] Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.). 

 Pied-billed Grebe; Dabchick; "Hell-diver"; "Water-witch." 



Transient visitor, rare in spring, common in autumn ; spring ; August 9 to 

 December i. 



It is possible that this Grebe breeds in Essex County, but I have no direct 

 evidence of it. The August 9th record was of a young female shot by J. A. 

 Jeffries, at Swampscott, in 1879. 



The Dabchick frequents fresh water, rarely being found on the ocean. I 

 have, however, a specimen I shot off the rocky shore at Swampscott, on October 

 7th, 1883. Its habits are similar to those of the Horned Grebe. It is a ready 

 diver and like that bird it can also sink below the surface without diving. My 

 notes of November 5th, 1882, of a bird observed in the Shawsheen River, illus- 

 trate this latter habit. While sitting on the bank I several times noticed a 

 movement in the water like the quick motions of an animal coming to the sur- 

 face to breathe. Presently for a very brief space of time a Dabchick appeared 

 on the surface, but as quickly disappeared by quietly sinking in the water. 

 After that, although I watched for half an hour, I did not see the whole bird 

 again, but several times saw its bill projecting above water for a moment for a 

 breath of air. 



The small size and grebe characteristics as well as the brownish upper 

 breast easily distinguish the Dabchick from other waterfowls. Its bill is stouter 

 and less pointed than that of its cousin the Horned Grebe. 



Podiceps cristatus Lath. Crested Grebe. An Old World species erroneously noted hy 

 many of the older writers. Putnam' enters it in his Essex County list as "Winter. Common," 

 and Maynard- records it as "Common during autumn and winter." There is not a specimen 

 in existence of American origin.^ 



'F. W. Putnam : Proc. Essex Inst., vol. i, p. 223, 1S56. 

 2C. J. Maynard: The Naturalist's Guide, p. 158, 1870. 

 ^T. M. Brewer: Bull. Nultall Orn. Club, vol. 3, p. 52, 1878. 



