PODICIPID^ — THE GREBES — JiCHMOPIIORUS. 423 



This species has been described as being a fine-looking bird as it sits on the 

 water, riding very lightly, its long neck erect, its bill pointing horizontally forward. 

 Its length of neck makes the motion, during the act of diving, a very peculiar one. 

 When it flies, both its feet and its neck are outstretched. The colors of certain 

 parts, which are very beautiful in life, change and fade after death. 



This species is included by Mr. R. Browne in his list of the birds found on Van- 

 couver Island. Dr. Cooper met with it among the alkaline lakes of the Great Plain 

 of the Columbia, in October, 1860 ; and it was about the same time of the year that 

 he obtained at Walla-walla, in 1853, the first known example of this species. In all 

 probability it breeds on the shores of those lakes. Dr. Cooper also mentions that in 

 his visit, in 1862, to Monterey, on the sea-coast of California, he noted its first arrival 

 in that neighborhood about the 25th of September. 



According to the observations of the same accurate and observant naturalist, this 

 bird winters along the Pacific coast from Puget Sound to San Francisco, but does 

 not, so far as he is aware, occur farther south. He remarks that this Grebe greatly 

 resembles the Loon in its habits, so far as could be ascertained from observations 

 made in the winter ; but he was not able to obtain any information in regard to its 

 habits in the breeding-season. This species can dive, and swim under the Avater, 

 with the greatest ease ; and when once raised above the surface, can fly Avitli rapid- 

 ity. About dusk it is often heard to make a loud bleating sound, especially in the 

 spring. Dr. Cooper thinks it quite probable that birds of this species never obtain 

 the elongated feathers on the head that decorate the other species of this family in 

 the spring, since he has procured examples late in April Avithout their exhibiting any 

 signs of this adornment. 



Captain Bendire found this Grebe an abundant summer resident in Lake Malheur, 

 in Eastern Oregon, where it undoubtedly breeds. Mr. HenshaAV regards the waters 

 of Utah as the eastern limit of this peculiarly western species. It is common in 

 Utah Lake in summer, and breeds there. In the fall its numbers are increased by 

 arrivals from the north. It is less timid than others of this family, and very little 

 difficulty is found in killing it with a shot-gun. The fishermen informed him that 

 when they draw their seines this bird will often swim up to the edges, in close prox- 

 imity to the boats, and not infrequently allows itself to be inclosed in the meshes. 

 A single individual was shot in the Gila River, N. M., in November. 



^chmophorus occidentalis Clarkii. 



CLARK'S GBEBE. 



Podiccps Clarkii, Lawr. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 895. — Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 705. 

 ^chmophorus Clarkii, CouES, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1862, 229. — Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, 



no. 730. 

 Podiceps occidentalis, var. Clarkii, CouES, Key, 1872, 336 ; Check List, 1873, no. 608 «. 

 JEchmoplwrus occidentalis Clarki, CouES, 2d Check List, 1882, no. 846. 

 Podiceps (jEclimophorus) occidentalis, \>. Clarkii, Coues, Birds N. W. 1874, 727. 



Hab. Range nearly coextensive with that of the preceding, hut chiefly confined to the Pacific 

 coast district. 



Sp. Char. Exactly like occidentalis, but much smaller, with the bill more slender, and more 

 or less recurved ; lores usually whita Wing, 6.70-7.75 inches (average, 7.31) ; culnien, 2.10- 

 2.48 (2.25); depth of bill through base, .45-.50 (.46); tarsus, 2.45-2,85 (2.67); outer toe, 

 2.35-2.75 (2.65). (Nine adults.) 



While bearing much the same relation that Urinator 'pacificus does to U. arcdcus, this " species" 

 appears to be still in the " incipient stage," the measurements of the larger individuals inosculating 



