PIED-BILLED GREBE. 
6. Podilymbus podiceps. 13% inches. 
This species cannot be mistaken for any others of the 
grebes in any plumage, because of its stout compressed bill 
and brown eyes, all the others having red eyes. In summer the 
bill is nearly white, with a black band encircling it; the throat 
is black; breast and sides brownish-gray; the eye encircled with 
a white ring. 
Nest. —Made of a mass of decayed weeds and rushes, floating 
in shallow ponds or on the edges of lakes among the rushes. 
Five to 8 brownish white eggs are laid (1.70 x 1.18). 
Range. —Whole of N. A., breeding in small colonies or pairs. 
LOON; GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 
7. Gavia immer. 31 to 35 inches. 
In shape and motions the loons very much resemble the 
grebes, except in size, being much larger. The common loon 
is the most beautiful of them all, having a velvety black irides¬ 
cent head with slashes of white on the throat and neck and 
spots of white on the wings and back. 
Nest. —Usually built under some shelter of bushes or rushes 
on the edge of some of the larger ponds or lakes. The two eggs 
are a yellowish brown, with black spots (3.50 x 2.25). 
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