488 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



They are very quiet birds, seldom uttering any note, although on 

 one occasion (September 14), when one was surprised near the 

 shore of Lost Lake, it uttered a succession of short, quacking cries 

 as it scurried to deeper water in which it dived. 



Like its relative, the pied-billed grebe, the Horned Grebe is an 

 expert diver. Usually when approached it swims slowly away, 

 but when close-pressed it never takes flight but dives. It can re- 

 main under water quite a time and usually comes up at some re- 

 mote unexpected place. 



The Horned Grebe, when in full plumage, is a very handsome 

 bird, especially when the sunlight glints on the rich color of the 

 head. 



The only other species occurring at the lake that at all re- 

 sembles the Horned Grebe is the helldiver. The two are readily 

 distinguished, however, even by the novice, by the difference in 

 the bill, that of the Horned Grebe being more slender, straight 

 and rather acute, while that of the helldiver is stout and somewhat 

 hooked. The difference in the length of the bill is considerable, 

 that of the helldiver being about an inch, while that of the Horned 

 Grebe is over three inches. 



3. HELLDIVER 



PODILYMBUS PODICEPS (Linnaus) 



This curious little grebe is known by many different names, 

 among which may be mentioned Pied-billed Grebe, Thick-billed 

 Grebe, Carolina Grebe, Pied-billed Dabchick, Dabchick, Dipper, 

 Didipper, Didapper, Helldiver, Water-witch, and Devil-diver. At 

 Lake Maxinkuckee it is known, to those who know it at all, as the 

 Helldiver. Most of these names refer to the ease and quiet mys- 

 tery with which it disappears under water when approached. 

 Every one who has ever spent any time about a lake or stream has 

 often seen these curious duck-like birds and has been mystified by 

 their elusive movements. 



From the horned grebe the Helldiver can readily be distin- 

 guished by its short, stout, broad bill in contrast with the slender, 

 straight, sharp bill of the former. At Maxinkuckee it is much 

 more common than the horned grebe. It is seen in considerable 

 numbers in the spring and more abundantly in the fall. A few 

 remain throughout the summer and breed among the Scirpus 

 patches about Lost Lake or in the marshes of Norris Inlet. A 

 pair evidently nested in Lost Lake in 1908, as two immature young, 

 unable to fly, were seen there September 6. 



A few dates on which it was definitely observed may be given : 



