FAMILY PODICIPIDJE. GLEBES. 



13 



The Horned Grebe is sometimes confounded with the Pied-billed Greb 

 in winter dress, but the former species has a more pointed and slightly longe 

 bill and tarsus. Both this and the next species are known to gunners b 

 various names, among the most common being, Water Witch, Hell Diver, an< 

 Die Dipper. 



No. 3. The American Eared Grebe, C. niyricollis valifornwus, has been taken in Illinois 

 (Ridgway.} 



GENUS PODILYMBUS LESSON. 



PODILYMBUS PODICEPS (LINN.). 



Pied=billed Grebe. Hell Diver. 



Sp. char. Adult in summer : Above, glossy 

 dark brown or brownish black ; throat, black, 

 and a black band on the bill; front of neck 

 and sides of neck and body, tinged with 

 pale brown ; belly, silvery white. 



Adult in winter : Similar, but lacking the 

 black throat and without the black band on 

 the bill ; lower belly, tinged with gray. 



Length: 13.50; wing, 5; tarsus, 1.45; 

 bill, .90. 



Distribution: British Provinces, south- 

 ward to Brazil, Argentine Republic, and Chili, 

 including West Indies and Bermuda, breeding 

 nearly throughout its range (A. 0. U.) ; win- 

 ters from New Jersey southward. 



Nest and eggs : The nest is composed of a 

 mass of floating vegetation or a mat of grass 

 on slightly submerged marshes. The eggs 

 are yellowish white or dirty white, usually 

 from three to eight, and measure about 1.70 

 x 1.20. 



FAMILY GAVIID/E. LOONS. 



Restricted to five known species. The toes are four, full webbed in front ; the hind toe 

 separate, with small flap or lobe; the tarsus is flattened. The legs are set far back, rendering 

 walking difficult. Their food consists principally of fish, which they catch with great dex 

 terity, being expert swimmers and divers. 



