''°im"'] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 467 



expert divers, are very common on tbe Red Eiver, and breed in the 

 marshes near the lake (D. Gunn). 



5. Podilymbus podiceps. Pied-biUed Grebe. Dabcbick. 



Common summer resident in all waters, living and dead; breeding 

 at Pembina and on ponds at the base of tbe Turtle Mountain (Coues). 

 Winuipig: Summer resident; tolerably common (Hiue). Red Eiver 

 Valley: Summer resident; commou ; breeds at Shoal Lake (Hunter). 

 Portage la Prairie; very abundant; summer resident on every lake, 

 slough, or poud large enough to give them sufficient " water privilege;" 

 arriving as soon as the ice is out and departing when their haunts are 

 frozen over. First seen, May 6, 1884, April 24, 1885, April 19, 1886 

 (Nash). Frequently observed in the ponds from Turtle Mountain to 

 Brandon ; in May, 1882, common and breeding in the ponds about Car- 

 berry, also at Rapid City (Thompson). In immense numbers (killed 

 four at a shot) in August and early partof September on the headwaters 

 and marshes of Swan River; abundant on all pools south of Touch- 

 wood Hills; apparently more northern than the preceding (Macoun). 

 Shell River, May 4 (Calcutt). 



On June 30, 1882, at Rapid City, found a Pied-billed Grebe lying dead 

 on the road. This si)ecies seems to be very abundant throughout the 

 country from here to Carbeny, and from Carberry to Turtle Mountain, 

 for the peculiar call note <■'• pr-r-r-r-r toic tow tow tow^^ (that I ascribe 

 to this species) is heard iu nearly every marsh throughout the region 

 indicated. 



On August 12, 1883, 1 came on a pair of Pied-billed Grebes in McGee's 

 Lake, Carberry. Instead of diving they commenced flapping over the 

 surface and excited my curiosity so that I shot them both. They were 

 both Dabchicks, and I found they would not dive because the water 

 was very weedy at that place. Their gizzards were full of water insects 

 and feathers. These last are commonly found iu gizzards of Grebes. 

 I know of no explanation of this fact, unless it be to muffle the move- 

 ments of newly swallowed living prey. 



On September 13, 1884, at Portage la Prairie, found Dabchickg here 

 yet. They seem more numerous here than at Carberry. 



6. Urinator imber. Loon. Big Helldiver. 



Summer resident on the larger fish frequented lakes. Summer resi- 

 dent; abundant, and breeding on Lake Winnipeg and the larger rivers 

 (Hine). Swampy Island: 1885, first seen, four, on May 30; next seen 

 May 31 ; rare around this island ; not breeding here ; common at northern 

 end of lake in fall ; last seen September 27 ; in 1880, first seen, twenty, 

 on May 14 (Plunkett). Oak Point : 1884, arrived May 1 (Small). Port- 

 age la Prairie : Tolerably common on Lake Manitoba throughout the 

 summer, arriving with the first general thaw in spring and retiring 

 when driven out by the frost (Nash). Common only on the northern 



