54 The hish Naturalist. March, 



are straighterin shape. (Plate 3, figs. 4, 5, 6.) The foot, which 

 is partially webbed, is rather peculiar. The entire space 

 between the adjacent toes is not occupied by a membrane 

 as it is in gulls, ducks, and others. The web only stretches 

 between the toes near their roots {i.e., proximal phalanges), 

 the lower ends being free and edged with a series of 

 membranous lobes. The number of these differ according 

 to the toes to which they belong. Thus the outer edge of the 

 outer toe is fringed with four lobes (a. Fig. 2), whereas on 

 its inner side only one lobe at the lower end is visible. There 

 are two lobes on either side of the lower end of the middle toe 

 (b. Fig. 2.) On the outer side of the lower end of the inner 

 toe there are two lobes, the upper of which passes outwards, 

 forming the lower border of the web between the adjacent 

 toes. Only two large lobes fringe the inner edge of the inner 

 toe (c. Fig. 2.) The hallux (d) is not united by a membrane 

 to the other digits. The adjacent web between the outer and 

 middle is more extensive than that between the middle and 

 inner proximal phalanges. Iyike the sea-gulls the Grey 

 Phalarope is light in weight for its size. 



Habits : — The Grey Phalarope frequents the Irish coast as 

 an occasional visitant, principally in autumn and early winter, 

 and it is generally found in localities which abound in mud- 

 flats and sandy beaches. It may also be sought for in shallow 

 pools (to which it is very partial) formed in flooded fields, 

 after a heavy rainfall, especially if these be near the coast. 

 Less frequently it occurs on inland waters. As before- 

 mentioned it may be seen on the deeper waters of the open 

 sea. It is, as a rule, a tame, confiding little creature, 1 and 

 allows of the near approach of man. It is for this reason that 

 many writers have had opportunities of making close obser- 

 vations on its habits. It may be said with truth that there is 

 not a more interesting bird to watch. Its movements are 

 most engaging. On the 19th November, 1899, I watched a 

 Phalarope for a considerable time on the North Bull, Dublin 

 Bay. I came across it quite unexpectedly. I first saw it 



1 Exceptional cases, showing the shyness of the Phalarope, are recorded 

 by Thompson. Two examples, seen late in the autumn prior to 1837 in 

 the north-west of Donegal, were so difficult to approach that only one 

 could be obtained. (" Nat. Hist, of Ireland," vol., ii., page 338.) 



