424 



THE DIVr.G BIRDS — PYGOPODES. 



with those of the smaller specimens of occidentalis. In fact, examples occasionally occur which 

 may with equal propriety be rel'errcil to either species ; a majority, however, are typically one or 

 the other, the incompletely dillerentiated individuals forming a small minority. There is appar- 



'-J 



ently no constant difference of coloration between the two, but C^ici'u' seems to have the lores more 

 often distinctly whitish than occidentalis. (See Henshaw, " Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club," Vol. VI. Oct. 

 18S1, pp. 214-218.) 



It is not unlikely that the present bird may yet prove to be simply the female of .E. 

 occidentalis. 



This form, wliich bears a very strong rosemblaiioo to ^E. nreidentaf is, was regarded 

 by Mr. Lawreiuni as being a distinct s|»e(!ies, but is now considert I as only u 

 varii'ty. While it thus strongly resembles the orrhlentalln in size and in some of its 

 markings, it constantly ditt'ers. The two seem to have nearly the same habitat; aiul as 

 it is not usual for two races of the same species to dwell in exactly the same area, it 

 seems more probable either that the differences are specific, or that they possess sonu- 

 sexual or other signitieanee, unless the present form should be found to have a more 

 southern range. The first kiu)wn specimen of this form was taken by IVFr. J. 11. 

 Clark in Chihiuihua, Jlexico, and other specimens were procured from the sea-coast 

 of California at Santa Barbara and on San I'utddo liay. 



Dr. Cooper writes that near San Pedro, Cal., in July, 1803, he saw two large 

 Grebes, which he had no doubt were of this variety, frequenting the creeks and bays 

 for some months ; but they were so very shy, a* d seemed to know so well the range of 

 his gun, that he did not succeed in shooting one. He also saw large Grebtss at Mon- 

 terey, after the 25th of September ; and as that is much earlier than the jE. orr!(fenfti/is 

 is seen near the Columbia Kiver, he thinks that these also may have belonged to 

 this species. He observed nothing peculiar either in their habits or cries. Dr. 

 Heermann obtained one of these birds at Santa Barbara, which he referred to as 

 C. crlstatus. 



This bird, as well as all the other species of Grebes, aiul also the Loons, have ;i 

 habit of gradually sinking into the water, until they entirely disappear, without leav- 

 ing a ripple on the surface. They can also swim with the head or the bill only just. 

 above the water, and thus pass over a long distance without once being seen. Oiic 

 of these birds was shot near San Francisco by Mr. Hepburn. Subsecpiently to 

 having made the above cited observations, Dr. Cooper writes that after a careful 

 examination of some specimens obtained by himself at San I'edro in ISfifi, it appeal^ 

 to hiiu doubtful whether the ^E. uccidentaliti is not identical with /£". Clur/cli, 



