The Western Grebe 



are followed until capacity is exhausted. Indeed, the apparent gre- 

 gariousness of this species in winter is probably due almost entirely to the 

 aggregation of its prey; and the size of the grebe company observed is a 

 loose index of the number of fish below. If successfully frightened from 

 the water, not into it, the birds will scatter without regard to their fel- 

 lows. One sees evidence of community feeling, however, in the case of 

 small companies, for they will move in close order, diving and resting 

 almost simultaneously, while one bird or another assumes the duty of 

 watchman, remaining upon the surface and paddling along slowly in the 

 direction taken by the submerged flock. 



In diving, the Grebe's head describes a loop with lightning rapidity, 

 and the body springs forward as though to accept a challenge from its 

 vanishing leader. Con- 

 siderable depths are vis- 

 ited, and the bird is by 

 preference a fisher of the 

 channels, leaving the 

 shallows to his smaller 

 kinfolk. If surprised at 

 close quarters, the Grebe 

 almost invariably seeks 

 to escape by diving ; but 

 if there is sufficient lee- 

 way, as at the approach 

 of a steamer, it will take 

 to wing, not without 

 manifest exertion. A- 

 wing it is a singular look- 

 ing creature. The legs, 

 sticking out behind and 

 inclined upward rather 

 than downward, more 



than counterbalance the unusually long neck, so that the bird looks always 

 upon the point of tumbling head foremost. The wings are moved quite 

 rapidly, and the bird has no apparent control over its speed, save that it 

 tips up somewhat before alighting. Even so, it strikes the water with a 

 crash, with its feet spread awkwardly behind at diverging angles. 



But even if he is so awkward in gait, the Grebe experiences no diffi- 

 culty in making extended flights, as his presence in the interior lakes in 

 May testifies. A colony of nesting grebes has a rare fascination for the 

 birdman, for there is about it (pity to say, because the birds have been 

 so thoroughly frightened) just that element of mystery which allures. 



Taken in Washington 



Photo by the Author 



NEST AND EGGS OF WESTERN GREBE 



2041 



