The Wilson Bulletin — No 48 69 



throat simply by movements of the tongue and jaws. Unless 

 the diver had already been filled up he invariably ate all the 

 earth-worms and beetles which were placed in the coot's dish. 

 Only once did the bird really drink, I believe. This was 

 on the first day of our companionship when I put him into a 

 small tank of water. On this occasion he drank eagerly, im- 

 mersing the bill for an instant, then tipping the head back 

 after the manner of most birds, and repeating this n)any times. 



BATHING AND PREENING 



It seems strange that a water-bird should be so indifferent 

 to his natural element. When placed in a tank of clear water, 

 warm or cold, our bird became very wet and soon tried to 

 jump out. After his bath he looked snake}', so closely did 

 the wet feathers adhere to his slender body. I do not think, 

 however, that the under-lying down became much wet ; for 

 the bird usually managed to dry himself in an hour or two. 

 A regular bath, such as he took at once after being re- 

 leased, consisted of much water treading, plunging and flap- 

 ping. In fact the feathers could scarcely be raised one from 

 another they were so completely soaked. 



In drying and replacing the feathers the bill was thrust, 

 open into the plumage, then closed and flicked outward, send- 

 ing drops of water in all directions. The bill was worked over 

 every part of the plumage except, of course, that of the head, 

 and this was rubbed vigorously on the back and wings; or was 

 scratched with the middle-toe nail of the rapidly vibrating 

 foot. When I gently scratched or rubbed the back or sides 

 of the grebe's head he immediately rubbed his head on his 

 back as though the sensation that my scratching caused sug- 

 gested his own method of producing it. When the bird's back 

 was scratched no such movements were observed. In preen- 

 ing the feathers of the breast and belly he would stand nearly 

 erect on his toes, retaining this position for .several seconds, 

 then would step along so as to rest on a dry spot. Often the 

 bird stood up vigorously and frankly, flopping his wings for 

 several seconds at a time. I say frankly because in contrast 

 the coot had a timid, furtive way of doing it. 



SLEEPING. 



The grebe slept from dark until dawn, and generally for 

 about an hour after a hearty meal. In roosting he ordinarily 



