GREBES: PIED-BILLED GREBE 
81 
moderate numbers in spring and probably breed (Kellogg, 1927).! A single bird was 
seen June 2, 1903, on a pond near Santa Rosa (Bailey). 
During fall migration the species is not rare in favorable localities. Two were 
seen September 9, 1903, at Black Lake, 8,400 feet, the highest recorded altitude for 
the State, others the middle of September, 1901, on ponds along the east side of 
the Pecos Valley near Carlsbad, several 
September 17-October 4, 1904, at Lakes 
La Jara and Burford (Bailey), and one 
October 12,1900, at Albuquerque (Stover); 
four were seen October 7-9, 1913, on a 
reservoir near Koehler Junction, Colfax 
County (Kalmbach); [also observed in 
migration at the V -f* T Lake and Cord¬ 
uroy Lake, Socorro County, in 1916 
(Ligon) J. 
They remain until late in winter— 
two were taken November 19, 1908, at 
Farmington (Birdseye), and one at Dona 
Ana, November 20, 1855 (Pope). [Noted 
on the Rio Grande Bird Reserve, 
November 23-Deeember 9, 1916, and on 
the Carlsbad Bird Reserve, reported common, December, 1916 (Willett).]— 
W. W. Cooke. 
Nest. —A compactly built floating or anchored raft of tules, reeds, or aquatic 
plants among tules. Eggs: Usually 5 to 7, dull white, more or less nest soiled. 
Food. —Almost wholly animal matter, nearly half insects, including predatory 
water bugs, beetles, etc.; about a quarter crawfishes, and nearly a quarter fishes, of 
slight economic importance. At fish hatcheries the Pied-billed Grebes may do 
serious damage, when they should be driven away or shot if Federal and State laws 
permit. 1 But in localities where crawfishes are destructive to crops, the grebes are 
especially beneficial. They also feed extensively on giant water bugs and predacious 
water beetles, at times destructive to the small fry of fishes. 
General Habits. —The thick pied-bill, fiat uncrested head, and 
chunky form of this small Grebe, familiarly called Dab-chick, distinguish 
it at a glance as it swims around among the tules or cat-tails. It is less 
often found in clear open water than the other grebes. Like its relatives, 
if alarmed the Pied-billed will sometimes sink out of sight before your 
eyes, accomplishing this astonishing feat by compressing or expelling the 
air from its plumage, lungs and air-sacs; and while you are still watching 
the spot from which it has vanished, it will swim under water to what it 
considers a safely distant spot, where it will again rise to the surface; 
or if still nervous, it may come up among the weeds, as Mr. Eaton says, 
“with only its nostrils above the water, beside some stick or plant” 
(1909, pp. 97-98). 
At Lake Burford, where Doctor Wetmore found Pied-bills breeding 
commonly in 1918, their mating displays, while not so varied as those 
1 For a summary of Federal, State, and Provincial game laws, see the latest annual Farmers’ 
Bulletin on game laws, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
From Biological Survey 
Fig. 4. Pied-billed Grebe 
Carrying its downy chicks to 
safe harbor 
