while in other respects there was a great disparity in the 

 habits of different individuals or of the same individuals under 

 different circumstances. 



During the past two years certain disputed habits have been 

 investigated by sending out questionnaires over the United 

 States and Canada. To meet the objection that no depend- 

 ence can be placed on the observations of untrained persons, 

 these questionnaires were sent mainly to accredited observers 

 of the Division of Ornithology, and Fellows, Members and 

 Associates of the American Ornithologists' Union. Evidence 

 included in their replies is used largely in the report that 

 follows. Among the subjects under inquiry were (1) the under- 

 water progression of water birds, particularly that of loons, 

 grebes, cormorants and the Water-Turkey; (2) the diving of 

 the so-called surface-feeding ducks, geese and swans; (3) the 

 so-called "suicide" of wounded ducks; and (4) the manner in 

 which the young of tree-nesting ducks get to the water. A 

 report on the first and third subjects is made in this bulletin. The 

 fourth is treated in part in the annual report of the Division of 

 Ornithology for 1921. 



UNDER-WATER PROGRESSION OF GREBES. 



While most ornithologists agree that many water birds such 

 as auks, murres and certain ducks use their wings for pro- 

 gression under water, there is much disagreement regarding 

 some other diving birds. 



Many ornithologists have asserted positively that grebes, 

 loons, cormorants and the Water-Turkey do not use their 

 wings under water. As one advances in years, he learns by 

 experience the folly of such negative assertions. The birds 

 are not aware of our opinions or of the rules that we lay down 

 for their behavior, and may refuse to be bound by our state- 

 ments regarding how they should conduct themselves. Never- 

 theless, it is well to acknowledge at the outset that those who 

 hold to the opinion that grebes never use their wings for under- 

 water progression have some grounds for their belief. For ex- 

 ample, Mr. Roy Latham of Orient, New York, informs me that 

 he has seen "hundreds" of Horned Grebes in fish-traps where 



