A DESCRIPTIVE LIST 



OF 



NORTH CAROLINA BIRDS 



I. ORDER PYGOPODES. DIVING BIRDS 



This order contains three families of strictly aquatic birds. They possess the 

 peculiarity of having the legs set unusually far back, so that those species which 

 are able to walk can do so only with the body in an upright position. 



KEY TO FAMILIES 



1. Stiff tail-feathers wanting; front toes lobed, and nails broad and flat. The Grebes 

 (Colymbidce). 



1. Tail-feathers present. 



2. Hind toe present. The Loons (Gaviidce). 

 2. Hind toe absent. The Auks (Altidce). 



1. FAMILY COLYMB I D/E. GREBES 



Of the six species of grebes in North America, three are found in North Caro- 

 lina. They frequent both salt and fresh water areas. All are wonderful divers, 

 and their stout lobe-footed legs serve them well in their submarine flights. With 

 marvelous quickness they dive at the flash of the fowler's gun, often escaping injury 

 by this means. Their food is composed of a wide variety of animal forms which 

 the birds procure by swimming under water. The thick satiny feathers of the 

 breast and sides of certain species have been much used for millinery purposes. 



KEY TO GENERA 



1. Bill slender, straight, rather acute, its length more than twice its depth at base. Colymbus. 

 1. Bill stout, somewhat hooked; length not twice its greatest depth. Podilymbus. 



Genus Colymbus (Linn.) 



KEY TO SPECIES 



1. Bill as long as head. Wing more than 7 inches. Holbcell's Grebe. 



1. Bill much shorter than head. Wing less than 6 inches. Horned Grebe. 



1. Colymbus holboellii (Reinh.). HOLBCELL'S GREBE. 



Description: Ads.* in summer. Top of head, small crest, and back of neck, glossy black; 

 back blackish; throat and sides of head silvery white; front and sides of neck rufous, changing 

 gradually over breast into silvery white belly; sides tinged with rufous. Ads. in winter. 

 Upperparts blackish brown; throat and underparts whitish; front and sides of neck pale 

 rufous. Im. Upperparts blackish; throat and underparts silvery white; neck and sides 

 grayish. L., 19.00; W., 7.50; Tar., 2.20; B., 1.90. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



*In the technical descriptions the following abbreviations are used: Ads., adults; Im., immature; L., length 

 (see page 21); W., wing; T., tail; Tar., tarsus; B., bill. Measurements are in inches and hundredths of an inch. 



