Aechmophorus occidentalis, Grebe egg

Description:

One of four western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) eggs collected from Swan Lake in southern Okanagon, Canada (see CBE1726-CBE1729). Collector W.S. Maquire notes the eggs contained cartilaginous embryos at time of collection and the nest was "a large, bulky platform of rush stems and pond vegetation - just above water level. Well concealed in a patch of rushes." Later acquired by Ernest Cutts.

Original set mark: 1/1 Maquire collection