THE PIEDBILL GREBE. 



Boys and Girls: 



This is the first time I've been 

 on land for several weeks. I am 

 sure you can't think of any 

 other kind of bird who can say 

 that. 



Sometimes I don't go on land 

 for months, but stay in the water 

 all of the time — eat and sleep 

 there, floating around. 



My little chick wanted me to 

 go on land so we could have our 

 pictures taken. 



If he were not sitting so close 

 to me you could see better what 

 paddles I have for feet. 



I build my nest of weeds, 

 grass, sticks, and anything I can 

 find floating around. I most 

 always fasten it to some reeds 

 or tall grass that grow up out 

 of the water. 



In this I lay the eggs and just 

 as soon as the chicks come out 

 of the shell they can swim. Of 

 course they can't swim as well 

 as I and they soon get tired. 

 Do you know how I rest them? 



Well, its very funny, but I 

 just help them up on my back 

 and there they rest while I swim 

 around and get them food. 

 When they get rested they 

 slide off into the water. 



Are you wondering if I can 

 fly ? Well, I can fly a little but 

 not very well. I can get along 

 very fast swimming, and as I 

 do not go on land often, why 

 should I care to fly. 



Should any one try to harm 

 me I can dive, and swim under 

 water out of reach. 



Well, chick, let us go back to 

 our home in the water. 



T34 



