The Horned Grebe 



Taken in North Dakota 



HORNED GREBES AT HOME 



Photo by Edwin Reiber 



sides of head contrasting with blackish above affords the best field mark in winter; 

 in winter plumage not certainly distinguishable from the next species though averaging 

 larger. 



Nesting. — Does not breed in California. Nest: Of half-submerged or floating 

 vegetation, usually anchored to reeds growing in swamp water. Eggs: 2 to 7; elongated 

 oval, pale greenish white, but usually more or less discolored by nest. Av. size 44.5 

 x 30 (1.75 x 1. 18). Season: June. 



General Range. — Northern part of Northern Hemisphere; south in winter to 

 the Mediterranean and Caspian seas and Japan. In America breeds from southern 

 British Columbia, northern Utah, northern Nebraska, southern Ontario and north- 

 eastern Maine, north to the Lower Yukon Valley, northern Mackenzie, central Kee- 

 watin, and the Magdalen Islands. Winters from British Columbia, the Great Lakes, 

 and Maine south to southern California, the Gulf Coast, and Florida. 



Distribution in California. — Fairly common winter resident, chiefly along 

 the seacoast northerly; less common southerly; casual upon the larger inland bodies 

 of water; sometimes lingers well into spring. 



Authorities. — Cassin (Podiceps cornutus), Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., vol., 

 xiv., 1862, p. 323 (Calif.) ; Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 2, vi., 1896, p. 14 (Mon- 

 terey Bay, winter). 



APPARENTLY nothing is more attractive to a school of herring 

 (all little fish which attend school are herring for practical purposes) 



2049 



