334 
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 
None of the many nests I have examined, either of this or the other species, have 
been moored as described by some authors. They have usually been perfectly tree, 
except in so far as the reeds constituting a hedge about them offer a complete check 
to the chance of their floating off. Occasionally, it is true, a few of the surrounding 
stems have been bent down and made to enter into the composition of the nest. But 
this is rather rare, and is apparently to be looked upon as an entirely accidental cir¬ 
cumstance, so far as any intention of anchoring the structure is concerned. 
A less promising place to deposit eggs than the structure described can scarcely be 
imagined. The material, which is mostly gathered from the water, is muddy and 
soggy, and how it is possible to hatch eggs on such surroundings is a mystery to all 
but the grebes. The problem appears to be easy enough of solution to them, and solve 
it they do in a most satisfactory manner. I have uever been successful in my efforts 
to catch sight of a grebe on its nest, and partly on this account, partly from the pecu¬ 
liar character of the nest itself, have been led to surmise that much of the labor of 
incubation is shirked by the birds of this family and is delegated to the warmth of 
the sun’s rays, aided, perhaps, by the heat which arises from the decomposing nest 
material. Like other species, as the eared grebe, the present bird covers up the eggs 
in its absence, although occasionally I have found them exposed to view. I have 
never found more than four eggs to a nest of this species, but presume that this num¬ 
ber does not represent the full complement. . 
The young begin to appear about the first of July, but many pairs at this date will 
be found to still be incubating. The chicks appear to leave the nesr almost as soon as 
hatched, and their history at this early stage is full of interest. One need only push 
his boat through the tules at this season to find himself rewarded by the sight of some 
domestic scenes that will well repay his trouble, and will perhaps give him a higher 
idea of these birds of “ low instinct” than is usually accorded them. The reedy re¬ 
cesses are full now of quaint noises, not heard at other seasons. The faint quackings 
of the young ducklings convoyed by their watchful parents, the harsh notes of the 
coots calling to their numerous progeny, the piping of rails, and the querulous sputter¬ 
ing notes of the ever busy marsh wrens, are blended into a common melody, that now 
swells into full chorus, now dies away into confused murmurs under the fitful midsum¬ 
mer’s breezes. But notes, too, other tliau the above are to be made out in the confused 
gabble, viz : the high piping call of the grebes, and, if he manages adroitly, the obser¬ 
ver will find himself directly in thfe midst of a family group or groups containing all 
the birds just mentioned. His appearance will be the signal for a hasty scattering ot 
the startled community, but, whatever of the scene be may fail to take in, let him not 
overlook our grebe just now. At the first sign of danger the pair of old birds have 
warned the young, that respond with feeble pipings, and at the call placing themselves 
on the broad flat backs of their parents, who have ranged up alongside for the purpose 
they are transported to a place of safety. No more beautiful and touching sight can be 
imagined than that presented by the downy little creatures as they huddle close up to 
the old one’s neck, and give themselves trustfully up to its protection. Both parents 
share equally in the care of the young, part of the brood accompanying one, part the 
other. In this manner, they are carried about from feeding ground to feeding ground, 
or removed when danger threatens. Even at this very early age the chicks, uinter 
emergency, are wonderfully adept at diving and swimming, and to catch one uninjured 
is a matter of no little difficulty. 
A brief description of the young in the downy stage, hitherto undescribed, is sub¬ 
joined. First stage : Body above, dark sooty brown, lightest along sides. Head and 
hind neck light ashy plumbeous, in contrast to the under parts, which are pure white. 
Bill black, extreme tip light yellow. 
When about half-grown, and while still ruthe down, the young differ considerably 
from the above in color. The head above is then of a blackish brown, and the down 
on hind neck shows the same color at base. It would appear that the growth of down 
is continuous for a considerable period, the ends being constantly worn away by attri¬ 
tion, and that its color just prior to the replacement by the true feathering corresponds 
with that of the latter. 
P. auritus californicus (Heerm.). Eared Grebe. 
This diminutive species appears to reach its maximum of abundance only as we ap* 
proach the west coast. In Nevada, Oregon, and California, it is by far the most numer 
ously represented of the family, and may'be found at the right season on any and al‘ 
the lakes and ponds of this region, where exist the proper nesting facilities. Though 
apparently absent in summer over much of the interior region proper, through all 
which, however, it migrates, it has been ascertained by Dr. Cones to breed abundantly 
along our northern frontier, as in Dakota, while on the other hand a sizable colony 
was found breeding in Southern Colorado, by myself. This may prove to be an extreme 
point in its summer range, but I think not, and that there is at least a probability of 
its occurrence still farther south, in Arizona. 
Much of the account of the breeding habits of the previous species will apply equally. 
