BIRDS OF NEW YORK 95 



Distribution. This bird called also Hell-diver, Pink-eyed diver, Dipper, 

 and Water-witch, is a common migrant in every county of the State. A 

 few remain in winter on our lakes and rivers as long as they are open, and 

 along the coast of Long Island it is fairly common throughout the winter. 

 In the western part of the State it is perhaps commoner than in the east, 

 and for a short time in April and in early November each year it is fairly 

 abundant. According to Mr Reinecke of Buffalo and Mr Davison of Lock- 

 port, it has bred on the shore of Lake Ontario where they have seen the 

 old birds with their young, but I have never seen it in the breeding season, 

 nor any eggs of the species collected in the State. 



Migrations. The Homed grebe arrives from the south in considerable 

 numbers from March 20 to April 10. After acquiring its nuptial plumage 

 it passes' northward to breed, about the middle of May. By the loth of 

 October it returns from the north and is quite common till the last of Novem- 

 ber when the greater number has passed farther south. 



Haunts and habits. This grebe is found on all the lakes and larger 

 streams of the State as well as on salt water bays and sounds, preferring 

 the open water to the weedy shallows. It swims rapidly, often timing its 

 exertions with a peculiar jerking motion of the neck. When interested 

 or excited its neck is fully extended with the axis of its head at right angles 

 to the straightened neck, and the body nearly submerged. For this reason 

 it is almost impossible to kill a grebe by gunshot unless it chances to be 

 hit in the head or neck. I do not believe it can "dodge the flash of a gun" 

 as is often asserted, when it is in easy range. Even when black powder is 

 used, the bird can be secured with any good gun loaded with no. 10 shot 

 at a distance from 6 to 8 rods. It is a famous diver however. I have often 

 seen it remain under water for three minutes and cover a distance of at 

 least 30 rods at one dive. It is somewhat gregarious in migration time, 

 when a line of 20 or 30 grebes may often be seen swimming abreast at a 

 distance of a few rods from shore. It is quite possible that they are fishing 

 after the manner of mergansers when in this formation, one individual taking 

 more easily the fish which escape from his comrades. Grebes are rarely 



