WATER-BIRD WAIFS 



Grebe, and the Pied-billed Grebe or Dabchick. The 

 Horned Grebe is so called because in the spring plumage 

 it has, particularly the male, a sort of muff of long 

 feathers on its head, some of which stick up like little 

 horns. They are otherwise strikingly colored with 

 varied rich browns and black, but in autumn they are 

 reduced to plain gray back and white breast. The 

 Dabchick, which is by far the commoner of the three, 

 can be distinguished by its browner upper breast, and, 

 in spring, its plainer garb. Most of the grebes seen 

 will prove to be this latter. The time to expect them 

 is during May and in September and October. They 

 look so pretty, floating on the surface of the pond, often 

 among lily pads, dabbling in the water with the bill. 

 Usually we see each bird alone, but they are apt to 

 migrate in small flocks, and the other members of the 

 party are probably scattered about the pond, perhaps 

 hiding in the reeds along the margin, or crawled out 

 upon the shore to sun themselves and preen their 

 feathers. They do this last also when afloat, and we 

 can see them turn over on one side to get at the lower 

 feathers, and the silky white under-parts will flash in 

 the sun. It is even harder for them than for the loon 

 to fly, for their wings are very small, and they likewise 

 migrate by night. They are great divers, and if 

 alarmed will plunge or sink into the depths, come up 

 a long way off, stick out only the bill for a breath of air, 

 sink again, and get out of sight without showing them- 

 selves even once. Knowing their powers they are not 



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