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5. Podilymbus podiceps. Pied-billed Grebe. Dabchick.

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Common summer resident in all waters, living and dead; breeding at Pembina and on ponds at the base of the Turtle Mountain (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). Red River Valley: Summer resident; common; breeds at Shoal Lake (Hunter). Portage la Prairie; very abundant; summer resident on every lake, slough, or pond large enough to give them sufficient “water privilege;” arriving as soon as the ice is out and departing when their haunts are frozen over. First seen, May 6, 1884, April 24, 1885, April 19, 1886 (Nash). Frequently observed in the ponds from Turtle Mountain to Brandon; in May, 1882, common and breeding in the ponds about Carberry, also at Rapid City (Thompson). In immense numbers (killed four at a shot) in August and early part of September on the headwaters and marshes of Swan River; abundant on all pools south of Touchwood Hills; apparently more northern than the preceding (Macoun). Shell River, May 4 (Calcutt).

On June 30, 1882, at Rapid City, found a Pied-billed Grebe lying dead on the road. This species seems to be very abundant throughout the country from here to Carberry, and from Carberry to Turtle Mountain, for the peculiar call note “pr-r-r-r-r tow tow tow tow” (that I ascribe to this species) is heard in nearly every marsh throughout the region indicated.

On August 12, 1883, I came on a pair of Pied-billed Grebes in McGee’s Lake, Carberry. Instead of diving they commenced flapping over the surface and excited my curiosity so that I shot them both. They were both Dabchicks, and I found they would not dive because the water was very weedy at that place. Their gizzards were full of water insects and feathers. These last are commonly found in gizzards of Grebes. I know of no explanation of this fact, unless it be to muffle the movements of newly swallowed living prey.

On September 13, 1884, at Portage la Prairie, found Dabchicks here yet. They seem more numerous here than at Carberry.

Birds of Manitoba

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