DIVING BIRDS 33 



are calling constantly during the night, the sound is weird, 

 but so in keeping with the desolate countiy as to be scarcely 

 noticeable after a few days. It is an even tone pitched in 

 a high key like the strident tones of a locust. 



Tlie birds lay from four to nine bluish-white eggs, which 

 they cover with decaying vegetation, which soon stains them. 

 When the eggs are thus covered the heat from the sun's rays 

 and the decay of the vegetation produce a warmth sufficient 

 to incubate the eggs without the presence of the bird; the 

 grebes, however, often sit upon their nests, or at least 

 remain close, to guard their treasures. When the young 

 are hatched they may be seen riding on the backs of the 

 old birds in the open water, but usually close to cover. At 

 the approach of danger the old bird dives like a fish and 

 arises to the surface many yards away, with the little fellows 

 still clinging on. 



PIED-BILLED GREBE 



The Pied-billed Grebe, commonly called Hell-diver, 

 Die-dapper, Dabchick, Water Witch, is often mistaken for 

 the horned grebe. It ranges from Argentine Republic north 

 to Hudson Bay and Great Slave Lake, breeding throughout 

 the range. 



Grebes are unexcelled as divers, as they swim and dive 

 like a fish, and reach a depth of five or six fathoms. They 

 are the most aquatic of all North American birds found in 

 the interior, but are helpless on land, unable to walk or rise 

 on the wing. Like other grebes, they rest on the tarsus 

 while on land, as sho^vn in plate. The toes are not con- 

 nected by a web, as in the ducks, but each toe is equipped 



