BIRDS OF INDIANA. 561 



lake. A small bunch of sawgrass already growing in a suitable situa- 

 tion is evidently selected as a nucleus for the nest, and the tops bent 

 so as to form a part of it. During the day we invariably found the 

 eggs concealed by a covering of muck, as above described; but as we 

 ascertained by repeated visits at night and in the early morning they 

 are uncovered at dusk by the bird, who incubates them until the 

 morning sun relieves her of her task/' 



Mr. Euthven Deane informs me that Mr. Hatfield found it breed- 

 ing at English Lake, June 3, 1893. Mr. J. E. Gould, of Columbus, 

 Ohio, took a nest at the same lake July 1, 1891, that contained nine 

 eggs. The same gentleman, the latter part of the previous month, 

 found several pairs of Terns despoiling the nest of a Grebe. The nest 

 had two or more eggs in it, one was found in the nest and one outside. 



This Grebe dives forward very suddenly. Its motions are so quick 

 that it often escapes the shots fired at it. It is often noted to appar- 

 ently disappear. After diving it arises to the surface of the water and 

 projects only the bill, the rest of the bird remaining below the 

 water. It thus remains invisible. It is said to be able to settle back- 

 wards and disappear from view beneath the water. This is done 

 quietly so that the casual observer wonders what has become of it. 



The earliest spring record from Brookville, and it is the earliest 

 for the State, is March 17, 1884, and the latest first arrival from the 

 same station is April 18, 1885. Mr. J. 0. Dunn reports it from the 

 vicinity of Chicago, near the Indiana line, March 23, 1894. Usually, 

 however, they reach that latitude between April 1 and 15. In the 

 late summer they begin to journey south in October, and a few remain 

 into November (Hillsdale, Michigan, November 11, 1894), possibly 

 until severe freezing weather. 



SUBORDER CEPPHI. LOONS AND AUKS. 

 II. FAMILY URINATORIDJE. LOONS. 



Characters same as for family. URINATOR. 3 



3. GENUS URINATOR CUVIRR. * 

 a 1 . Tarsus shorter than middle toe without claw ; wing 13. or more. 



U. imber (Gunn.). 5 

 a 2 . Tarus longer than middle toe with claw; wing under 12. 



U. lumme (Gunn.). 6 



5. (7.) Urinator imber (GUNN.). 



Loon. 



Synonym, GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 



Adult. Above, black; back, with square white spots; head and neck, 

 glossy black, with violet and green reflections; a patch of white 

 36 GEOL. 



