Grebes 



instantly takes to water. Cradled on the water, nourished by 

 the wild grain, vegetable matter, small fish, tadpoles, and insects 

 the water supplies, sleeping while afloat, diving to pursue fish 

 and escape danger, spending, in fact, its entire time in or about 

 the water, the grebe appears to be more truly a water-fowl than 

 any of our birds. On land, where it almost never ventures, it is 

 ungainly and uncomfortable; in the water it is marvelously 

 graceful and expert at swimming and diving; quick as a flash to 

 drop out of sight, like a mass of lead, when danger threatens, and 

 clever enough to remain under water while striking out for a safe 

 harbor, with only its nostrils exposed above the surface. Ordi- 

 narily it makes a leap forward and a plunge head downward with 

 its body in the air for its deep dives. The oily character of its 

 plumage makes it impervious to moisture. Swimming is an art 

 all grebes acquire the day they are hatched, but their more remark- 

 able diving feats are mastered gradually. Far up north, where 

 the nesting is done, one may see a mother bird floating about 

 among the sedges with from two to five fledglings on her back, 

 where they rest from their first natatorial efforts. By a twist of 

 her neck she is able to thrust food down their gaping beaks with- 

 out losing her balance or theirs. The male bird keeps within 

 call, for grebes are devoted lovers and parents. 



It is only in winter that we may meet with these birds in the 

 United States, where their habits undergo slight changes. Here 

 they are quite as apt to be seen near the sea picking up small fish 

 and mollusks in the estuaries, as in the inland ponds and streams. 

 During the migrations they are seen to fly rapidly, in spite of their 

 short wings and heavy bodies, and with their heads and feet 

 stretched so far apart that a grebe resembles nothing more than a 

 flying projectile. 



Horned Grebe 



(Colymbus auritus) 



Called also: DUSKY GREBE; HELL DIVER; SPIRIT DUCK; 

 WATER WITCH; DIPPER 



Length 14 inches. 



Male and Female In summer: Prominent yellowish brown crests 

 resembling horns; cheeks chestnut; rest of head with puffy 

 black feathers ; back and wings blackish brown with a few 



9 



