BIRDS. 



Ill 



North Fork of the Flathead is to be seen at Lewis's Hotel, and Mr. 

 F. F. Liebig, of Kalispell, has one that came from Lake McDonald 

 before tlie park was established. It has been seen in similar country 

 close to the park, and one of its floating nests has been found by 

 Mr. Donald H. Stevenson inside the park. 



When the grebes nest, as they usnalh' do, in colonies in the tules, 

 after the nesting season they assemble in large companies about good 

 feeding grounds, where they disport themselves with so nuich vivacity 

 and originality that they supply ready entertainment for many a 

 summer day. Their presence may be recognized by their loud, dis- 

 tinctive ha-ree\ Jca-ree' ^ and its variations which carry far over the 

 water. Or, they may be picked out from a flock of quiet phlegmatic 

 ducks laying on the water by their quick motions, slender necks, and 

 rapid disappearances and reappearances; for like all grebes they are 

 rapid, expert divers. They also have the grebe habit of lying on one 

 side, showing the silvery and all too famous grebe breast. Across 

 the width of a lalce, mirror- 

 like flashes from the breast 

 •slKudd bo Avatched for, as 

 also short white lines on 

 the surface of the water, 

 for the long'swan-like necks 

 seen at a distance suggest 

 -hort, white sticks vanish- 

 ing and reappearing so 

 rapidly that it is difficult to 

 keep track of them. But if 

 you would see these charming birds at their best, get near enough to 

 watch their dextrous Avork and their delightful individual play. 



HoLBCELL Gkebe: Colymbus hoXbceU'i. — While we saw the Holboell 

 only on the lower Waterton Lake in Alberta during the summer, 

 it has been found b}^ Mr. Bryant on Lake McDonald, and on April 

 22, 1918, two were seen by Mr. Bailey, " one at the upper end of the 

 lake in quiet water and one out in the middle of the lake where big 

 waves were rolling higher than its head; " so another rare possibility 

 is open to observers on that lake rich in opportunities. 



Next to the western grebe in size and striking appearance the 

 Flolbcell has a rather heavy red neck and a w^hite throat patch that 

 give it a certain stolidity of appearance when compared with the 

 swan grebe; but wliile it may lack vivacity and grace, like all the 

 grebes it is a master of its trade and a. study of an old mother diving 

 for water weeds for her young, and leading them along safe and 

 pleasant shores will afford many enjoyable hours. 



ik of iJirds of the W rst, rn L'liited States. 



Fig. 19. — Western grebe. 



