PYGOPODES: Diving Birds 



PYGOPODES (meaning " rump-footed"): Characterized by 

 legs placed on rear end of the body, giving greatest power in 

 swimming; laterally flattened tarsus, presenting least resistance 

 to water; and proper muscular development for driving the 

 body at great speed on or under the water's surface. Plumage 

 very compact, waterproof, and smooth, to minimize water 

 friction. They are thus most highly adapted to aquatic life and 

 to obtain their food (fish, shellfish, or crustaceans) by diving. 

 Except the Grebes, none lay more than two eggs. Young swim 

 and dive almost as soon as hatched. 



WESTERN GREBE 



(1. ^chmophorus occidentalis) 2 feet. 



Upper parts dusky gray, blackening on hind neck and crown; 

 entire under parts silvery while, including cheeks and sides of 

 neck; bill yellow, long and slender. 



Females, somewhat smaller, grayer on back neck and crown. 



The slender neck, with striking contrast of colors, is dis- 

 tinctive. It is usually carried upright, much like that of a 

 Swan; hence the name "Swan Grebe," used in some localities. 



PIED-BILLED GREBE 



(6. Podilymbus podiceps) 13 in. 



Summer: Above, brown-black; throat black; fore-neck, breast, 

 and sides brownish; belly dull white. 



Winter: Breast rusty; throat without black patch. 



Bill short and deep; in summer with black ring near tip. 



This is the common " Hell-diver" of the eastern United States, 

 a name applied because of the bird's quickness in diving. So 

 marvelously quick is it, in fact, that it usually escapes the 

 hunter in this way. 



HOLBOELL GREBE See Appendix. 



(2. Colymbus holboelli) 20 in. 



