the prevalence of strong easterly winds on the lake. A small bunch of saw-grass already growing in a 

 suitable situation is evidently selected as a nucleus for the nest, and the tops bent so as to form a part 

 of it. 



"During the day we invariably found the eggs concealed by a covering of muck as above described, 

 but, as we ascertained by repeated visits at night and in the early morning, they are uncovered at dusk 

 by the bird, who incubates them until the morning sun relieves her of her task. 



" The above description applies equally well to any of the six nests observed by us, and to the 

 dozens observed by Mr. Porter at the same locality, during the past four or five years; he notes, however, 

 a few instances in which the nest instead of being entirely free at its circumference, as above described, 

 was held in place by the surrounding 'deer-tongue.'" 



EGGS: 



The complement of eggs varies from five to eight, seven being the usual number. They measure in 

 long-diameter from 1.70 to 1.80, and in short diameter from 1.10 to 1.20 inches. A common size is 1.18 

 xl.73. The shell is smooth for the size of the egg, and frequently has round, slightly raised, warty 

 prominences upon it. In color it varies from greenish-milk-white to a yellowish-brown. One egg before 

 me is decidedly olive in coloi*, but this tint is very superficial as a little acid at once exposes the milk- 

 white shell beneath. The cro when taken from the nest are often covered with mud so that it is 

 necessary to clean them before the true tint of the shell can be discerned. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS : 



See Horned Grebe, page 261. 



REMARKS : 



The three eggs figured Plate LXIII, Fig. 2, were selected from two sets of six and seven respectively, 

 taken in Ottaw T a county in 1882. They show the common sizes, shapes, and colors of the eggs of the 

 Thick-billed Grebe. Every boy is familiar with the Dipper, and every one who carries a gun has 

 sought in vain to shoot the little diver before it could disappear under the water. Although common 

 enough in all streams in the spring and fall, and often remaining about some favorite spring when all 

 surrounding water is frozen over, yet few persons encounter the birds in the summer south of the lake 

 marshes. The following is from page 497 of "North American Birds," by C. J. Maynard: 



"The Pied-billed Grebe is one of the best known species of the genus, as it is remarkably 

 common, especially during migrations, throughout our section. They winter from the Carolinas, 

 southward, but are particuliarly common in Florida at this season, where, perhaps, a few remain to breed. 

 As do all the members of the family, the Pied-billed Grebe places its nest on a mass of floating debris 

 in some quiet, reedy cove of a pond or river, depositing the eggs early in June. The young follow their 

 parents as soon as hatched and are cared for by them with great assiduity. All the Grebes possess the 

 power of inflating the space between the skin and body, and thus they can ride lightly on the water, or 

 by contracting the- skin and feathers, are enabled to sink slowly beneath the surface, often swimming 

 with only the head exposed; or, they will remain hidden in the reeds, with the bill alone projecting." 



258 



