LIST AND DESCRIPTION 45 



3. Horned Grebe (Colymbus auritus.) 



A rather rare bird, but it probably nests in the northeastern 

 part of our State. It is slightly smaller than a Blue-winged Teal. 

 Crown and throat black with a small buff crest extending back 

 from the eyes ; neck buff, shading to darker on the back. 



4. Eared Grebe (Colymbus nigricoUis californicus.) 



This Grebe is about the size of the last and very similar in 

 plumage except that the buff crest is smaller and the neck black. 

 It is more westerly in range and probably does not nest in South 

 Dakota, although specimens have been taken in the State. 



6. Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps.) 



About the size of a Green-winged Teal, and commonly 

 called "Hell Diver." Brownish black above with belly nearly 

 white; throat black; a black band around the light brown bill. 

 In winter the throat changes to nearly white and the band on 

 the bill disappears. A common summer resident, thoroughly at 

 home in the water, nesting over most of the State in rivers, 

 lakes and ponds. The nests are carelessly built, usually on 

 clumps of moss or bog, but frequently on old muskrat houses. 

 The seven or eight bluish eggs hatch in about twenty-one days. 

 The young immediately take to the water and remain with the 

 mother until old enough to care for themselves. 



7. Loon (Gavia immer.) 



This fine bird is sometimes called the Great Northern 

 Diver. It is not abundant in South Dakota .but individuals 

 may be seen on our largest lakes during summer. A specimen 

 in the University Museum was taken in the Vermillion River, 

 Clay County. The black head, white belly, and distinctly black 

 and white markings on neck and back of the summer plumage 

 contrast strangely with the dull gray of the winter dress. At 

 present these birds rarely nest within our borders but prefer to 

 rear their young farther north, widely separated from mankind. 

 The nests are i!sually on an island or point of land and near the 

 shore, so that the birds when disturbed can immediately escape 

 into the water and dive. 



Their food consists of small fish and other aquatic forms. 

 They are not edible. 



