. Bird-life; a guide to the study of our common birds . , visiting the Middle States only whileon their migrations. It is evident, therefore, that if wewould become familiar with these birds, we must devoteourselves especially to their pursuit. There are, however, some species, notably those which frequent bodies of fresh water and nest in this latitude, Pied-billed Grebe which deserve to be ranked among our Podiiymbuspodiceps. commoner birds. Of these, one of the Plate ii. j^gf. kn0WI1) by name at least, is the Pied-billed Grebe, whose aquatic powers have given itthe expressive title of Hell-
. Bird-life; a guide to the study of our common birds . , visiting the Middle States only whileon their migrations. It is evident, therefore, that if wewould become familiar with these birds, we must devoteourselves especially to their pursuit. There are, however, some species, notably those which frequent bodies of fresh water and nest in this latitude, Pied-billed Grebe which deserve to be ranked among our Podiiymbuspodiceps. commoner birds. Of these, one of the Plate ii. j^gf. kn0WI1) by name at least, is the Pied-billed Grebe, whose aquatic powers have given itthe expressive title of Hell-diver. Under favorable conditions this little Grebe may breedanywhere from the Argentine Republic to British Amer-ica, but in the Middle States it occurs chiefly as a springand fall migrant. When nesting, a quiet, reedy pond orlake is chosen for a home, the nest being made on a pileof decaying vegetation. The eggs, four to eight in num-ber, are dull white, more or less stained by the nestingmaterial, which the parent bird rarely fails to place over 84. Plate XXV. Page 116. KED-HEADED WOODPECKER Length, 9-75 inches. Adult, whole head and neck deep red, back andtail black; upper tail-coverts, greater part of secondaries, and belly-white. Young, similar, but head, back, throat, and sides grayish black. LOON. 85 them when leaving the nest. The young are born coveredwith down and can swim at birth. The Pied-billedGrebe is one of our most aquatic birds. When pursued,it prefers diving to flight, and the marvelous rapiditywith which it can disappear from the surface of thewater, to reappear in a quite unexpected place, justifiesits reliance on its own natatorial powers. It can swimunder water with only its bill exposed, when it becomespractically invisible. When on land Grebes progress awkwardly. Theycan, it is said, stand erect on their toes, but, when resting,support themselves on the whole length of the foot ortarsus (see Fig. 8, the Great Auk). On the wing Grebes resemble small Duc
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