Page:Life Histories of North American Diving Birds.djvu/24

 sharply outlined against the green background, the glossy black crown, the fiery red eyes, and the javelin-like beak. Who could help admiring such a picture of aquatic grace, such specialized mastery of its native element? Its delicately poised head was ever alert, its keen red eyes were watching every motion and, as I moved one step 'nearer, the graceful neck was arched, the javelin beak plunged downward, and the slim body followed in a curve below the surface, leaving scarcely any wake behind it. The water was clear and I was near enough to follow its course as it-sped away beneath the surface a long slender pointed craft, propelled by two powerful paddles and with wings tightly closed, The western grebe is certainly a water nymph of the first class, built for speed and action, the most highly specialized of all our diving birds. Courtship.—The western grebes reach their breeding grounds in the inland lakes during May, early in the month in North Dakota, about May 8 to 12 in southern Canada, and before the end of the month farther north. I have never witnessed their nuptial performances, but Mr. William L. Finley has sent me the following notes on the subject:

The first two performances are typical mating or courting antics, while the last is the most significant wedding dance I have ever seen in bird life.

Nesting.—The Crane Lake colony, referred to above, was a typical large colony of the plains or prairie region. I visited this colony two years in succession and made several trips into the slough each