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CALIFORNIA BIRD STUDIES 



Terns swam easily, taking to the water when cut off from 

 the reeds, but the adults were not seen to alight on the 

 water. 



Having heretofore failed to establish intimate relations 

 with that fine bird, the Western Grebe, I had anticipated an 

 opportunity to observe it here, where, according to the re- 

 port of Finley and Bohlman, it had nested abundantly the 



Surrounded by 



the rarest members of its genus " 



preceding year. We found, however, only one occupied nest, 

 and saw comparatively few birds ; but we did find numerous 

 Grebes ' bodies, from which the breast had been stripped. 



The cause of their death was revealed one morning when 

 we found a ruddy-cheeked, white-bearded old hunter in the 

 rookery. Eesting quietly in his skiff, gun in hand, he 

 promptly potted every Grebe which was unfortunate 

 enough to rise within range. He had only five birds in his 



