JAN., 1909. BIRDS OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN CORY. 279 



states; nidification begins in May. The nest is in a pond, river, or 

 slough, and is usually a mass of floating vegetation among reeds. 

 The eggs are^j. to 8 in number, dull white, usually more or less stained 

 and soiled, and measure about 1.75 x 1.20 inches. 



Pied-billed Grebe. 



The Field Museum possesses a set of 5 eggs of this species taken 

 in the vicinity of Calumet Lake, Chicago, June 4, 1904. 



Suborder CEPPH I. Loons and Auks. 



Family ALCID^. Auks, Murres, etc. 



The Auks are confined to the northern hemisphere, many species 

 being found in very high latitudes. They range along the northern 

 coasts of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and occasionally wander 

 to temperate regions, but never very far south, as they are " cold 

 weather birds." They are gregarious, especially during the breeding 

 season. One species, the Great Auk, was at one time common along 

 the Atlantic coast from northern New England northward, but owing 

 to its total inability to fly and the destruction of its eggs by fishermen 

 and others, it was entirely exterminated during the last century. 



