44 The Irish Naturalist, February, 



west and north of France, Holland, or Germany ; but towards 

 the north-east end of the Baltic it is not uncommon on the 

 autumn passage, when it also visits the Swiss lakes. 



The late J. W. Salmon, who visited Orkney in the summer 

 of 1831, says of the Red-necked Phalarope: — " This beautiful 

 little bird appeared to be very tame ; although we shot two pairs, 

 those that were swimming about did not take the least notice 

 of the report of the gun ; and they seemed to be much attached 

 to each other, for when one of them flew to a short distance the 

 other immediately followed, and while I held a female that 

 was wounded in my hand its mate came and fluttered before 

 my face. We were much gratified in watching the motions 

 of these as they kept swimming about, and were for ever 

 dipping their bills into the water ; and so intent were they 

 upon their occupation, that they did not take the least noiice 

 of us although within a few yards of them. 



"After some little difficulty we were fortunate in finding 

 their nests, which were placed in small tufts of grass growing 

 close to the edge of the lock ; they were formed of dried grass ; 

 and were about the size of a titlark but much deeper. The 

 eggs are considerably smaller than those of the Dunlin, and 

 beautifully spotted all over with brown. They had but just 

 commenced laying, June 13, as we found only from one to 

 two eggs in each nest ; but we were informed by a boy whom 

 we engaged in our service that they always lay four, and are 

 called by the name of half-web." 



In the Hebrides they usually arrive in the latter part of May, 

 and by August both old and j^oung have taken their departure. 



The late W. Proctor contributes the following experiences 

 obtained in Iceland : — The young birds leave the nest as soon 

 as hatched. On the approach of danger the old bird runs 

 among the aquatic herbage, spreading her wings and counter- 

 feiting lameness for the purpose of deluding the intruder ; and 

 after leading the enemy from her young she takes flight and 

 flies to a great height, at the same time displaying a peculiar 

 action of the wings ; then descending with great velocity, and 

 making simultaneously a noise with her wings. On her return 

 to her young she uses a particular cry for the purpose of 

 gathering the young together. As soon as she has collected 

 them she covers them with her wings like the domestic hen. 



