DABCHICK— PIED-BILLED GREBE 17 



of its breast feathers, which were made up into 

 muffs and other ornamental articles of dress. This 

 bird is remarkable for the wonderful frill which 

 surrounds the head. This is a rich dark chestnut in 

 colour, shading at the edges into a very dark brown, 

 and can be raised or depressed. In addition, long 

 "horns," or tufts of feathers, spring from the crown 

 of the head. The sexes are similarly adorned, but in 

 the males these ornaments are more developed than 

 in the females. A curious thing about the Grebes is 

 the fact that they build floating nests of weeds, some- 

 times attaching them to rushes and reeds growing in 

 the water. The eggs vary in number from three to 

 six, and are white at first, but gradually change to 

 brown. See Plate 39, Fig. 232. 



The Dabchick, or Little Grebe, is a much smaller 

 bird, which in summer has the cheeks, throat, and 

 sides of the neck a rich chestnut colour, giving place 

 to a silvery white in winter. It ranges over Europe, 

 Africa, and Asia, extending from the Malay coun- 

 tries into North Australia. See Plate 40, Fig. 

 237. 



Two species common in America and frequently 

 confused are the Horned Grebe and the Pied-billed 

 Grebe. The former is distinguished by large tufts of 

 feathers which stand out on each side of the head. It is 

 seen along our coasts during the spring and fall 

 months but is not so common as the other species 

 mentioned. The breast is glistening white, and in 

 flight the white patch on the wings is a conspicuous 

 mark. This bird winters throughout the United 

 States, breeding northward. 



