GREBES 
7 
The Holbcell grebe nests in isolated pairs in reeds along the mar¬ 
gins of shallow, fish-frequented lakes, preferably in forested country, 
but also in prairie regions. 
Subgenus Dytes. 
3. Colymbus auritus Linn. Horned Grebe. 
About the size of the dabchick, but slenderer; sexes similar; cheeks 
and sides of head with crests or ruffs in adults. 
Breeding plumage: sides of head with yellow tufts 
of silky feathers, rest of head and throat black; 
upper parts dusky; lower neck, chest, and sides 
rufous; breast silvery white. Winter adults and 
young: crests scant or wanting; throat white ; sides 
with little or no rufous. Length: 12.50-15.25, wing 
about 5.75, bill about .85-1.00. 
Remarks. — The young can usually be distin¬ 
guished from young calif ornicus by the bill, which is 
higher than wide at base. 
Distribution. — Northern part of northern hemi¬ 
sphere, breeding in North America chiefly north 
of the United States; migrating south over the 
United States. 
Nest. — Made of reeds, grass, and mud, attached 
to reeds, or on floating masses of sticks and sedges. Eggs: 5 to 8. 
In full plumage, with their big crests and mufflers and rich colors, 
the horned grebes easily rank as the handsomest of their family. 
In the United States they are seen on their migration journeys 
usually in small flocks, late in fall or following close on the retreat¬ 
ing ice in spring. In their northern summer home their habits are 
said to be similar to those of other grebes. 
4. Colymbus nigricollis californicu§ ( Heerm .). Eared Grebe. 
Breeding plumage . — A fan-shaped tuft of yellow silky feathers on each 
side of head ; rest of head, neck, and chest black; back blackish; sides 
brown; breast silvery white. Winter plumage and young : upper parts and 
sides dusky; throat and ear patch white or grayish ; bill slender, wider 
than deep at base ; crests wanting. Length : 12-14, wing 5.30, bill 1. 
Distribution. —Western North America, east to the Mississippi, north to 
Great Slave Lake, south to Guatemala, breeding throughout most of its 
range. 
Nest. — Floating on shallow water in ponds or lakes; made of rushes. 
Eggs : 4 to 6, soiled white. 
In the Great Basin country where tall tules grow half way across 
some of the big shallow lakes, the eared grebes have made their 
homes for ages, raising their young in peace and as much quiet as 
the cackling of coots and rails, the quacking of ducks, and laughing 
of stilts and avocets would allow. Out in the open ponds diving for 
minnows, gliding among the dark tule stems, or brooding on their 
floating nests and caring for their downy black chicks, they have 
