42 



Economic Status. The Diving Birds feed almost entirely upon aquatic 

 life usually captured by diving and pursuit under water. Economically, 

 they are of slight importance. The Canadian representatives of this order 

 are divided into three families: the Grebes, Colymbidce; the Loons, Gaviidce; 

 the Auks, Murres, etc., Alcidce. 



SUBORDER— COLYMBI. GREBES. 



FAMILY COLYMBID.E. GREBES. 



General Description. Grebes and Divers with feet lobed and not fully webbed, and 

 without perceptible tails. Instead of full webs extending from toe to toe, as in most 

 swimming birds, the digits are provided with a scalloped edging of flat lobe-like flaps or 

 processes hinged to the toe. These make excellent paddles during the stroke, and folding 

 away, offer the minimum of resistance to the water on the return. Their wonderful diving 

 ability has given these birds the common sobriquets of Hell-diver, Water-witch, etc. 



Distinctions. Scalloped toe webs (Figure 13, p. 20), short tail, straight, pointed bill, 

 and the peculiar silvery sheen of the feathers of the underparts. 



Field Marks. Pointed bill and inconspicuous tail. Feet carried straight out behind 

 when flying. 



Nesting. In reeds or rushes bordering sloughs or ponds, on floating or stationary 

 heaps of vegetable matter. 



Distribution. Grebes are distributed over the whole of Canada, and well into the 

 arctic zone. In the breeding season they are generally more common on fresh than on 

 salt water. There are three species of this family occurring regularly in eastern Canada; 

 a fourth species, the Western Grebe, not further mentioned here, has been incorrectly 

 recorded several times, and only one occurrence can be substantiated. 



Grebes are typically inhabitants of fresh ponds and lakes, though at 

 times they frequent the sea in numbers. The adults are coloured in rather 

 broad masses; the young show sharp stripes, especially about the head, 

 indicating that the family has descended from a common striped ancestor. 

 The Grebe breasts, so much used for trimming and millinery purposes, are 

 procured from birds of this family. The sacrifice of large numbers for this 

 purpose and the drainage of many of their natural breeding grounds are 

 continually reducing their numbers. 



Economic Status. Feeding almost entirely upon water-inhabiting 

 creatures they are of little direct economic importance. Considerable 

 masses of feathers are often found in Grebe stomachs, but the reason of 

 their presence is not yet understood. There is no evidence that they are 

 remains of birds preyed upon. 



GENUS— COLYMBUS. HORNED GREBES. 



2. Holbcell's Grebe, bed-necked geebe. pb. — he gbebe k cotr bouge. Colymbus 

 holbaelli. L, 19. This is the largest of our Grebes. Summer adults have white cheeks 

 and throat and a rich chestnut-red neck. 



Distinctions. Size is usually sufficient to distinguish this Grebe. Juvenile birds 

 generally have only a suggestion of the rufous neck. 



Field Marks. Size will also separate it in the field from other Grebes; and the pre- 

 sence of a white wing-patch and an unmottled back, from the Red-throated Loon with 

 which it might be confused. The white cheek-patch is quite conspicuous in contrast with 

 black crown and red neck. 



Nesting. On floating or stationary vegetable compost or marshy islands near the 

 shores of freshwater lakes. 



Distribution. Across the continent; breeding in the east, north of present settlement. 

 In the prairie provinces and west it nests southwards to and across the United States 

 border. 



