22 



PIED-BILLED GREBE 



6. Podilymbus podiceps. 13.5 inches. 



In any plumage this species cannot be mistaken for 

 others, because of its stout compressed bill and brown 

 iris; all the others have red eyes. In summer the bill 

 is whitish with a black band encircling it; the throat 

 is black; the eye encircled by a whitish ring; the breast 

 and sides are brownish-gray. In winter they are brown- 

 ish-black above and dull white below, with the breast 

 and sides washed with brown. Young birds have more 

 or less distinct whitish stripes on the head. 



Notes. A loud, ringing " kow-kow-kow-kow ( repeated 

 many times and ending in) kow-uh, kow-uh." 



Nest. Of decayed rushes floating in reed-grown ponds 

 or edges of lakes. The pile is slightly hollowed and, in 

 this, the 5 to 8 eggs are laid; the bottom of the nest is 

 always wet and the eggs are often partly in the water; 

 they are usually covered with a wet mass when the bird 

 is away. Brownish-white (1.70x1.15). 



Range. Whole of N. A., breeding locally and usually 

 in pairs or small colonies. 



