385
Warblers. Family Mniotiltidae 385
Wagtails. Family Motacillidae 418
Dippers. Family Cinclidae 419
Wrens. Family Troglodytidae 423
Thrashers, etc. Family Mimidae 429
Creepers. Family Certhiidae 430
Nuthatches. Family Sittidae 431
Titmice. Family Paridae 431
Warblers, Kinglets, Gnatcatchers. Family Sylviidae 433
Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, etc. Family Turdidae 442
Index 450

Page 9

[Illustration 011: BALTIMORE ORIOLE.]

Page 10

THE BIRD BOOK

DIVING BIRDS. Order I. PYGOPODES

GREBES. Family COLYMBIDAE

Grebes are birds having a ducklike body, but with pointed bills. Their
feet, too, are unlike those of the Ducks, each toe having its separate
web, and having a broad flat nail. Their wings are very small for the
size of the body, making it impossible for them to rise in flight from
the land. They rise from the water by running a few yards along the
surface until they have secured sufficient headway to allow them to
launch themselves into the air. After having risen from the water their
flight is very swift and strong. On land they are very awkward and can
only progress by a series of awkward hops; they generally lie flat on
their breasts, but occasionally stand up, supporting themselves upon
their whole tarsus. Grebes, together with the Loons, are the most expert
aquatic birds that we have, diving like a flash and swimming for an
incredible distance under water.

Page 11

1. WESTERN GREBE. _Aechmophorus occidentalis_.

Range.--Western parts of North America, from southern Alaska southward;
east to Minnesota and south in winter to the southern parts of the
United States and Mexico. Breeds from the Dakotas and northern
California northward. These are the largest of the American Grebes;
owing to their unusually long necks, they are frequently called "Swan
Grebes." They are very timid birds and conceal themselves in the rushes
on the least suspicion of danger. At times, to escape observation, they
will entirely submerge their body, leaving only their head and part of
the long neck visible above the water. This Grebe cannot be mistak