76 THE OOLOGIST. 



Mijii; 



1. JSchmophoms occidentalis (Lawr.) [729.] 



Western Grebe. 



Habitat: Western North American. ^ 



This is the largest of the Grebes in North America. Its distribution 

 extends from Mexico and Lower California on the south, to Washington 

 Territory and the Red Eiver region on the north, breeding nearly through- 

 out this entire range . 



A common summer resident at XTtah Lake and also at Lake Malheur, 

 in Eastern Oregon, thence eastward to the extensive marshes of Shoal 

 Lake, in Manitoba, where it breeds adundantly. 



Mr. Edward Stebbins found it breeding in an arm of Devils Lake, 

 Dakota, in the first part of June, at which time all the eggs were more 

 or less incubated. He estimates the numbers of nests observed to be 

 about two hundred in an area of an acre and a half. They were built in 

 water three or four feet deep, and were made of reeds and sedges matted 

 together and fastened to the tall, rank grass, so as to float on the 

 surface. 



It is a remarkable fact that the Grebes cover their nests with weeds 

 and other vegetable matter before leaving them, so that incubation may 

 continue during their absence. 



Only a few of the nests observed by Mr. Stebbins were covered; the 

 tall grass obstructed the view of the birds, so that when approached they 

 would hurriedly slip off the nests, and leave the eggs exposed. The only 

 birds seen were those in the vicinity of the nests, and they swam away 

 with their heads and necks above water, making a kind of cackling noise. 

 In their habits they resemble the Loon, diving or swimming under water 

 with the greatest ease; and, when on the wing, they fly Avitli wonderful 

 rapidity for birds of their nature. 



The eggs of this species are from two to five in number, elliptical 

 oval in shape, very pale bluish green in color; and, like all Grebes' eggs, 

 the surface is stained a light brown, or very much soiled by contact witli 

 the decomposed vegetable matter of the nests. 



Mr. Walter E. Bryant, of Oakland, California, has a set of five eggs 

 in his collection, which were taken at Washoe Lake, Neveda, in the latter 

 part of May. These measure as follow: 59 x 39, 63 x 39, 58.5 x 38, 

 60 X 38, 59 X 39.5 mm.* Three sets in my collection, two of five eggs 

 and one of four, taken by Mr. Stebbins, measure: 2.32 x 1.58, 2.40 x 1.57, 

 2.50 X 1.53, 2.46 x 1.58, 2.48 x 1.60; 2.14 x 1.48, 2.27 x 1.54, 2.30 x 1.63, 

 2.29 xL58, 2.28 xL53; 2.44 x 1.52, 2.37 x 147, 2.52 x L44, 

 2.45 X 1.47. 



The bird known as Clark's Grebet is probably the female of JE. 

 occidental is.'\. 



*2.32 X l.Ri, 2. 48 1.54, 2.30 1.50, 2.3G X 1.50, 2.32 x l.'ie. 

 fPlaced In the " Hypothetical List" of the A. O. U. Check-Klst. 



tCf. Hetishaw, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, 1881, pp. 214-218; B. B. and K., Water Birds N. Am., II, p. 

 ii'S; Bryant, Auk., II, pp. 313-314. 



