574 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. 
4. American Eared Grebe. 
Coiymbus nigricollis californicus (Heerm.). 
The Elared Grebe was found in considerable numbers in the 
numerous reed- and grass-grown sloughs and, also, in the larger 
lakes of the territory investigated. At Water-hen Lake it is a 
common bird, making its home in the thickly growing rushes 
near the shore of the lake, often building its nest in close prox¬ 
imity to the nest of the Holboelhs Grebe. The Elared Grebe, 
like other Grebes, often forms extensive colonies during the nest¬ 
ing season. At Water-hen Lake, one colony observed contained 
hundreds of nests and these were situated so close to one another 
that between thirty and forty could be seen without changing 
the position of the boat, and it required much care to force the 
boat through the “bird-town” without destroying some of the 
“homes.” The nests were built by piling up decayed and water- 
soaked reeds, grass and other material, apparently brought from 
the bottom of the lake by the birds, this material being placed 
on a few reed stalks bent down to the water level and serving to 
support the nest and moor it among the reeds. One of the 
nests observed, is shown in Plate XLIIL The nature of the 
material used in constructing the nest causes it to sink low in the 
water so that the depression in the top, which contains the eggs, 
is only a little above the water level. In fact, some of the nests 
were so low in the water that a little water stood in the nest. 
The nests varied much in size. A nest which may be taken as 
a fair example, measured eleven inches, outside diameter ; four 
and one-half inches, inside diameter ; two and one-half outside 
depth, and one and one-fourth inside depth. Many of the nests 
were so situated that they were quite well hidden by reeds and 
rushes, while others were more openly placed and could be seen 
at some distance. When this colony was first visited, July 6, 
most of the nests contained three or four eggs while a few held 
but one or two. Of several sets taken on this date, the eggs were 
either fresh or incubation had just commenced. Pe turning 
again, August 4, most,of the nests were found deserted, the eggs 
having hatched; but several still contained eggs advanced in in¬ 
cubation. Pests containing fresh eggs were also found as early 
as the 5th and 11th of June. This shows a range of two months 
in the time of nesting. The number of eggs laid by this bird 
ranges from three to seven but most of the nests observed con- 
