i9 OT - Patten. — The Grey Phalarope. 61 



Several Phalaropes visited the west coast in 189 1. In 

 October of that year seven specimens were received from 

 stations between Rathlin O'Birne and Slyne Head. Curiously 

 enough none of these visitants struck the lanterns. 



According to Mr. Barrington also the Grey Phalarope has 

 not occurred at any light-station on the north coast, and only 

 twice on the east coast, in 1892, viz. : August 22, at Arklow 

 Iyightship, and November 4, at Rockabill, off the Dublin coast. 

 Only one occurrence is known from the south coast, viz., a 

 bird shot at Dungarvan in 1886. 



On the migration of the Phalarope to Ireland, I may add 

 that I have little doubt that the number of birds mentioned by 

 Mr. Barrington as having occurred at lighthouses and light- 

 ships afford a rather full record of the total ?iumber of this 

 species visiting these districts since the migration reports of 

 1 88 1 to 1897. Some examples, no doubt, have escaped the 

 notice of lightkeepers, but owing to the confiding nature of 

 the Phalarope as it swims on the open sea, together with its 

 attractive movements and pretty plumage, the tendency that 

 it should be overlooked is minimised. 



In captivity. — Many years ago the late Mr. R. Ball 1 remarked 

 that "asa general rule the wildest birds become soonest tame, 

 and that the tamest, such as the Robin and House Sparrow, 

 bear confinement with the greatest impatience." The Grey 

 Phalarope is an interesting exception. In a state of nature it 

 permits of familiar approach, and is soon reconciled to 

 captivity. In the year 1835 the same writer saw a Phalarope 

 which got entangled in fishing nets spread out to dry. A few 

 hours after capture it fed upon fragments of fish from the 

 hands of its owner. 



If not too severely wounded by gunshot the Phalarope will 

 often live in captivity for months and even years. It will be 

 quite contented and happy if carefully attended to and given a 

 little pond to swim about in. 



I have already referred to an instance of a Phalarope which 

 was wounded in the wing and which came into the possession 

 of Mr. John Sinclaire in the year 1818 (see p. 59). On the 

 other hand there are times when this species has died shortly 

 after being made a captive, even when quite uninjured by 



1 Thompson : " Nat. Hist, of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 339. 



