8 HISTORY OF THE 



qual to the middle toe and claw. Plumage plain plumbeous dusky or blackish 

 above, pure white beneath, including the whole under side of head and neck; 

 much the same at all seasons and stages." 



^Ichmophorus occidentalis (LAWK.). 



WESTERN GREBE. 

 PLATE I. 



Accidental visitant. For this addition to our State list, we 

 are indebted to Prof. F. H. Snow, who reports the capture of a 

 young male November 3d, 1887, on the Kansas River, at Law- 

 rence. 



B. 704. R. 731. C. 845. G. , . U. 1. 



HABITAT. Western North America, from Lower California 

 and Mexico to Manitoba, breeding nearly throughout its range. 



SP. CHAR. "Adult, full breeding plumage: Pileum and nape slaty black; 

 remaining upper parts brownish slate, the remiges paler and more grayish, with 

 the inner webs chiefly white; concealed bases of primaries and outer webs of 

 secondaries next the shaft also white. Entire lower parts satiny white, abruptly 

 defined against the black of the pileum and nape; sides, beneath the wings 

 clouded with grayish; lores usually brownish gray, sometimes white, Bill 

 olivaceous, becoming clear yellowish terminally and along the commissure; iris 

 bright clear rose red; legs and feet greenish olive in the dried skin. Adult 

 (and young), in winter: Similar, but pileum and nape brownish slate, like the 

 back. Bill dull, rather light yellow, the lower mandible deepening into or- 

 ange terminally; culmeu and broad longitudinal space on the side of the basal 

 two-thirds of the lower mandible dark olive green, the former nearly black; iris 

 pure carmine (having much the appearance of a red currant), growing nar- 

 rowly whitish around the pupil; tarsi and toes dull olivaceous yellow, the outer 

 side of the tarsus and joints of the toes nearly black. Downy young: Above, 

 uniform brownish gray, the nape and pileum lighter; lower parts uniform white; 

 bill blackish. No streaks or other markings whatever about the plumage." 



Stretch of 

 Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



Male 26.00 37.00 8.25 2.00 2.90 2.80 



Female... 24.00 35.00 7.50 1.60 2.85 2.60 



The birds are quite common west of the Rocky Mountains; 

 breeding in reedy ponds and lakes, east to Manitoba; wintering 

 south into Lower California; but its capture at Lawrence is the 

 first mention that I can find of its occurrence upon the east side 

 of the mountains south of the breeding grounds. I have noticed 

 this large species at San Diego several times, and in the winter 



