PODICEPS CALIFORNIO U S. 
CALIFORNIA EARED GREBE. 
PODICEPS CALIFORNICUS. Heekmann. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien., Yol. VII. (1851.) P. 179. Lawr. B. of N. Amer., p. 896. 
Audubon, in his great work on our native birds, figures an Eared Grebe, which was lent to him for that purpose by the Earl of 
Derby, and which was said to have come from America. Neither his plate nor description shows any difference from the European 
species (P. Nigricollis) : and, from the examples of Eared Grebes obtained in this country, all of which present characters sufficient to 
raise them to an independent specific rank, we may suppose that our distinguished author and his noble friend were misled as to the 
locality from which their specimen came. 
Dr. Heermaun first described the present species, (from specimens obtained by him in California,) in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia 
Academy, as quoted above. lie, however, only procured the birds in the winter dress, and it is but lately that we have received, through 
the efforts of the Smithsonian Institute collectors, an example in full summer livery. Dr. Heermaun says, that “ at first sight this bird 
appears very closely allied to the P. Cornutus and P. Aunius , but, on comparing them, marked differences are at once perceived, both 
in size and form. I observed this Grebe on the inland fresh-water ponds, as well as on the seashore, where it was abundant, 
passing its time on the water in pursuit of insects and small fish, with which, on dissection, I found its stomach filled. Having 
procured it only during the winter, I am unable to describe its spring livery, and between the two seasons there is much difference 
of plumage in this genus.” 
All the Grebes possess the power of diving with great rapidity, and are able to remain beneath the surface for a considerable 
length of time. On account of having their feet placed far behind the centre of their bodies, they are unable to walk upon the 
land, to which indeed they seldom resort, but push themselves along upon their breasts. The nests are usually built among reeds by 
the water-side, or upon some convenient tuft of grass, or sedge, in the middle of a lake. As the California Grebe has only lately 
been observed in the United States, its habits have not been recorded by any of those who were fortunate enough to meet with it 
in its native haunts; but, as closely allied species of the Old and New Worlds seldom differ in their manner of life, we may fairly 
conjecture that it would resemble in this respect its relative, the P. Nigricollis of Europe. In his interesting notes upon the birds 
of Algeria, my friend, the Rev. H. B. Tristram, of Castle Eden, England, thus pleasautly relates his exploits, when seeking the Eared 
Grebe and its eggs : “ At length, in a little secluded opening, entirely surrounded by tall reeds, through which we had the greatest 
difficulty in forcing the punt, we came upon a colony of Eared Grebes, the chief objects of my search. There appears to be this 
singular difference between the Eared and the Crested or Lesser Grebes — that while the latter, though abundant throughout the Lake, 
are not strictly gregarious, the former builds in societies more densely crowded than any rookery. It is also later in its nidification ; for, 
of nearly fifty nests I examined, not one was incubated, though most contained their full allowance of four or five eggs. The nests, 
formed like those of other Grebes, were raised on artificial islets, frequently almost touching each other, and sometimes piled on stout 
foundations rising from more than a yard under water. We shot several of the birds, which of course were in very fine plumage, 
but we were not a little puzzled by the sudden disappearance of several which had fallen dead within twenty yards of us. At length, 
on pushing out in our punt into the open water, I detected the water tortoises carrying off at great speed our wounded and dead 
birds, and, following the streak of blood through the water, at length seized one struggling with his captor, who maintained so tenacious 
a grasp, that I hauled him on board along with the bird, and took care to secure him too for my collection.” Doubtless the young of 
many species of water-birds fill a prey to such robbers, who are ever on the alert, seeking what they may devour. 
In winter, the California Grebe presents a very different appearance from that depicted in the plate, and is at that season a very 
plain-looking bird, having the entire upper parts a dark brown ; flanks, brownish-gray ; under parts, silvery-white, with no trace of the 
long, beautiful, hair-like feathers, which are so conspicuous upon each side of the head, and the chestnut color of the flanks entirely 
vanishes. The example from which my drawing was made, was procured by Mr. Kennicott, near Fort Resolution, Great Slave Lake. This 
would make it appear that the species had quite an extensive range on our western coast, and it is probable that it passes the winter 
in California and countries to the south of that state, and goes to the far north in the spring for the purpose of rearing its young. 
The California Grebe has the upper part brownish black. Head, neck, and upper part of breast, deep black. Tufts of long, liair- 
like feathers, commencing at the eye and covering the sides of the head, golden-yellow above, red on the lower half. Wings of 
a lighter brown than the back. Secondaries, white. Primaries, reddish brown. Shafts, black. Flanks, chestnut. Lower part of breast 
and under parts, silvery-white. Bill and feet, black. The figures are life-size. 
