GREBES 



(3) Colymbus auritus 



(Linn.) {Lat., eared). 



HORNED GREBE. Ad. in sum- 

 mer — Colored as shown; black cheek 

 feathers lengthened and puffy; crest 

 from back of each eye, quite long 

 and full. In •winter — Grayish-black 

 above, silvery-white below. L., 14.00; 

 Ex., 24.00; W., 5.50; Tar., 1.75; B., 

 .90. Eggs — Three to seven, soiled 

 dull white, 1.70x1.20. Nesl — A 

 floating mass of decaying vegetation, 

 generally attached to the living 

 rushes in sloughs. 



Range — Breeds from Me., nor- 

 thern Neb., Min., and B. C. northward. 

 Winters from southern Me., Minn, and 

 B. C. south to Fla., the Gulf coast 

 and Cal. 



^,'^jt-waL' 



Grebes very rarely fly unless forced to do so, except during 

 migrations or to pass from one body of water to another. 

 They are such amphibious creatures that it is quite difiicult 

 for them to leave the water; their small wings refuse to raise 

 them until they have attained sufficient speed by pattering 

 and running along the surface of the water for several yards. 

 When once a-wing, a swift flight is maintained by very rapid 

 wing beats. The finish of the flight is no more graceful 

 than its beginning; they seem to be wholly unable to 

 check their speed and plump down in the water like so 

 many stones. 



They are complete masters of their preferred element. A 

 plunge of the head, a vigorous kick with the feet, and they 

 disappear as though by magic. At other times they settle 

 slowly backward until the bill goes beneath the surface with- 

 out leaving a ripple. They easily remain under water for 

 two or three minutes, during which time they can swim for 

 considerable distances. 



19 



