BIRDS OF COLORADO. 



49 



THE BIRDS OF COLORADO. 



1. /Echmophorus occidentalis. Western Grebe. 



Migratory ; rare. A western species that finds its eastern 

 limit at the western edge of the plains. The only certain 

 record for the State is that of H. G. Smith (Nidologist, 

 III. 1896, 48) who saw the skins of one that had been shot 

 near Denver about October 25, 1888, and of two others taken in 

 the vicinity a few days earlier. It may eventually be found to 

 breed in Colorado, since it is an abundant summer resident in 

 Utah. 



2. Colymbus holbcellii. Holbcell's Grebe. 



Migratory ; rare ; a northern species coming south in the 

 winter. It is a widely distributed species^ liable to be found 

 anywhere but so far has been noted in Colorado only in the 

 southwestern corner in La Plata County, where F. M. Drew 

 noted it in the autumn at 10,000 feet (Auk, II. 1885, ri) 

 and C. F. Morrison notes it as "rare" in the same locality 

 (O. & O. XIII. 1888, 70). It breeds far north. 



3. Colymbus auritus. Horned Grebe. 



Migratory ; rare. Inhabits the whole of North America, 

 but its only Colorado record is that of Capt. P. M. Thome who 

 writes, "I find in my journal under date of October 8, 1887, the 

 following. 'Killed a C. auritus. Was alone. Not seen here 

 before.' I do not think a mistake as to identification possible. 

 I am familiar with C. n. californicus and P. podiceps.'''' This 

 was at Ft. Lyon on the Arkansas River. The Horned Grebe 

 breeds from the northern United States northward and come^ 

 south in the winter. 



4. Colymbus nigricollis californicus. American Eared 

 Grebe. 



Summer resident; rare in eastern, not uncommon in 

 western Colorado; breeds in suitable localities throughout its 

 range from the plains to 8,000 feet, especially on the alkali 

 lakes. Mr. Henshaw found it nesting abundantly in the San 

 Luis Valley, most of the eggs being fresh June 23. He also 

 found the birds quite numerous in migration at Denver as late 



