bo 
2 
PIED-BILLED GREBE 
6. Podilymbus podiceps. 13.5 inches. 
In any plumage this species cannot be mistaken for 
others, because of its stout compressed bill and brown 
iris; all the others have red eyes. In summer the bill 
is whitish with a black band encircling it; the throat 
is black; the eye encircled by a whitish ring; the breast 
and sides are brownish-gray. In winter they are brown- 
ish-black above and dull white below, with the breast 
and sides washed with brown. Young birds have more 
or less distinct whitish stripes on the head. 
Wotes.—A loud, ringing “ kow-kow-kow-kow (repeated 
many times and ending in) kow-uh, kow-uh.” 
Nest.—Of decayed rushes floating in reed-grown ponds 
or edges of lakes. The pile is slightly hollowed and, in 
this, the 5 to 8 eggs are laid; the bottom of the nest is 
always wet and the eggs are often partly in the water; 
they are usually covered with a wet mass when the bird 
is away. Brownish-white (1.70 x 1.15). 
Range.—Whole of N. A., breeding locally and usually 
in pairs or small colonies. 
