Page:Bird-lore Vol 04.djvu/108

 A Grebe Colony 87

that we could feel them hitting our boots as they moved about under the water.

Nests of the Eared Grebe, unlike those of the Western Grebe, are very rude affairs, scarcely large enough to hold the complement of eggs, which is usually from four to six, though seven and eight are frequently laid.

Owing to the high seas which prevail on these small lakes, the eggs are often washed from their nests. The Eared Grebes then deposit their eggs in the nests of the Western Grebe, and this accounts for eggs of both varieties being found in the same nest, which is often the case.

We found dead bodies of both species lying on, or near, their nests. They all bore signs of having been wounded. probably the result of an encounter arising from a dispute as to which was the rightful owner of the premises.

Emerging from the wild rice, we entered the brush and found ourselves on a narrow ridge overlooking a shallow, grassy slough. This is the home of Holbuells’ Grebe and the Pied Grebe, whose breeding habits are very similar. These two Grebes, in marked contrast to the preceding species, are quite retiring in their habits, especially Holbmll‘s Grebe, which is a solitary bird.

When the young are hatched they are carried about on the backs of the old birds. When alarmed the old one disappears under water like a ﬂash, coming to the surface fifty yards away, with the little fellows still clinging on for dear life and apparently none the worse for their ducking.

The Pied Grebe breeds early, laying from five to nine eggs in a small ﬂoating nest, composed of weeds. debris and mOSSes, mixed with mud. Their eggs are badly stained, usually more so than any of the other Grebes. I never saw this bird on its nest, although we frequently disturbed the sitting birds before they had time to take the usual precaution of covering their eggs. When thus disturbed Pied Grebes usually remain in the vicinity of their nest, sometimes venturing quite close to the intruder, their brown eyes sparkling like beads, when suddenly they give an alarming "Cluck" and disappear with a splash. The nests of Holbmll's, or the Red-necked Grebe, are loosely constructed of grass and aquatic plants, and usually contain five to eight eggs each. These birds are very shy and I never saw them near their nests, except when the young were hatching. They do not dive like the other members of the family, but seem to sink beneath the water, scarcely causing a ripple.