Plate LXIII. 



Fig. 4. DYJES AURITUS-Horned Grebe. 



The Horned Grebe is quite common on some of our ponds and rivers, making its appearance early 

 in the spring. Few. however, remain to build nests, preferring more northern waters. In the fall it is 

 again common. In Western New York it is one of the first migratory birds to be seen on the small 

 lakes with which that section of country abounds. I have several times found in the Montezuma 

 marshes, in June, nests containing fresh eggs. Audubon says it breeds in Northern Ohio, and Dr. 

 Langdon speaks of two supposed nests of this bird from Ottawa County. 



LOCALITY: 



Like all the Grebes, this bird during the breeding season confines itself to the marshes, seldom, at 

 this time, being seen far from shore. It prefers some pond with reedy borders, though no doubt building 

 also along the river bottoms. Nests which I have found at the foot of Cayuga Lake, Central New York, 

 were invariably some distance within the marsh and always not far from the edge of some quiet pool of 

 water. 



POSITION : 



The nest is generally found floating upon the surface of the water, or at least the nest proper is 

 placed upon some floating mass of dead reed-stalks, roots, etc, and is extremely difficult to find, owing 

 to the habit the birds have of covering up their eggs whenever they leave the nest, so that one may 

 pass within a few feet of it without seeing more than a mass of floating debris. I once actually sat down 

 upon a nest of this bird ; it was placed upon a rather large amount of floating rubbish and completely 

 covered over, there being not the slightest indication of a nest visible, for I examined the mass carefully 

 to see if it was likely to bear my weight. I did not discover my mistake until the seat began to sink 

 with me, when, getting up rather hastily, I disturbed the covering enough to expose the eggs, three in 

 number, but two of them quite naturally Avere broken. 



MATERIALS: 



The nest has little of interest so far as materials of construction are concerned, as it is only a heap 

 of reeds, grass, and such coarse vegetable material as is common to the locality. The whole forms a 

 rude mass, always water-soaked and looking like the conventional " last year's bird's nest." 



EGGS: 



There seems to be some discrepancy among authors as to the number of eggs this bird is in the 

 habit of laying. Mr. Maynard says from four to six is the complement, this I think is too many. Dr. 

 Langdon is inclined to the opinion that two eggs make a full set, this I am sure is too few. According 



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