12 



GREBES. 



fishes. Sexes, similar in color. To approach a grebe the ob- 

 server should endeavor to see the bird before it perceives 

 him. When the bird dives for food, walk toward it, standing 

 perfectly still when it comes up ; by continuing to do this, 

 the margin of the water may be reached without alarming 

 the bird. Grebes sink when they perceive anything of which 

 they are suspicious, and dive when suddenly alarmed. 



Fig. 3. 



A, A, b, 1, 1-2. 

 A. SLENDER-BILLED GREBES. Podicipidae. 



Bill, slender, longer than twice its depth, figs. 4, 5. Us- 

 ually inhabit salt water in winter, but breed more often in 

 fresh. Provided with special plumes about head and neck 

 during the nesting season, which are reddish in color and 

 more or less conspicuous. White patch on wing, noticeable 

 in flight. 



Fig. 4. 



A^-i A, a, 1. 



a. Long-billed Grebes. Colymbus. 



Bill, three times as long as deep, fig. 4, Size, large, 18.00 

 20.00. Breeding plumes, short. Dull black above; silky 

 white beneath. 



