PHALAROPODID^ — THE PH ALA ROPES — LOBIPES. 333 



After some little difficulty, we were fortunate in finding their nests, which were 

 placed in small tufts of grass, and were about the size of that of a Titlark, but much 

 deeper. They had but just commenced laying, June 13, as we found but one or two 

 eggs in a nest, and their number is four." 



Nilsson also mentions this bird visiting Sweden and ISTorway, and states that a few 

 remain to breed on the margins of fresh-water lakes ; but the greater part go farther 

 north. Mr. W. Proctor visited Iceland in the summer of 1837, and states that he 

 found it breeding on little hillocks in the marshes. The young birds left the nest as 

 soon as hatched. On the approach of danger, the old bird runs among the aquatic 

 plants, spreading her wings and counterfeiting lameness. As soon as she has suc- 

 ceeded in attracting the enemy away from her young, she soars upward to a great 

 height, then descends very rapidly, making a noise with her wings, the motions of 

 which in her upAvard flight are also somewhat remarkable. On returning to the 

 ground she calls her young together v\^ith a peculiar cry, and gathers them under her 

 after the manner of the domestic Hen. 



This Phalarope is found on the Pacific coast at Vancouver Island, where Mr. R. 

 Browne mentions its presence. Dr. Cooper states that in winter it migrates south of 

 California, not being common beyond Monterey. He procured a single specimen 

 south of San Diego, which had been killed. May 1, by flying against the lighthouse. 

 At Monterey he noticed its arrival, apparently from the mountains, about September 

 15 ; and he saw this bird off San Francisco Bay in June, when it may have been 

 nesting among the Coast Eanges. 



This species is also mentioned by Reinhardt as occurring in Greenland ; and Captain 

 Blakiston received specimens of it from Hudson's Bay and Great Bear Lake ; Mr. Eoss 

 also found it on the Mackenzie River, although it is not common there. 



Major Wedderburn records the taking of two specimens of this bird in Ber- 

 muda : one was found dead, March 21, 1848, supposed to have been killed by flying 

 against the iron lighthouse during the night ; the other was found the following day, 

 swimming in Hamilton Water, and was killed with a stick. Mr. Hurdis mentions a 

 third, taken March 8, 1852 ; this one he killed with his walking-stick. 



Mr. Boardman informs me that this species is found about Passamaquoddy Bay all 

 the summer, and that it undoubtedly breeds there in the spring and fall. It is gen- 

 erally known as the *' Sea Goose," from the peculiar manner in which it sits on the 

 water. Its food appears to be Crustacea and marine insects. 



Mr. Harold Herrick also states that these birds may be seen in large numbers all 

 the summer on the "Riplings," about eight miles from Grand Menan, where they 

 congregate to feed on the shrimps and animalculfe that drift in the eddies made by the 

 advancing and receding tide. They do not approach the shore except when driven 

 in by storms, but are represented as being very tame. 



Richardson states that they breed on all the Arctic coasts of America, and only 

 resort to the shores of Hudson's Bay in the autumn, frequenting shady ponds, in which 

 they swim with ease and elegance, their attitudes resembling those of the Common 

 Teal ; and like that bird continually dipping their bills into the water, picking up 

 the small insects which constitute their food. 



Giraud, in his " Birds of Long Island," mentions having seen several specimens of 

 this bird that had been procured on the coast of New Jersey, where it is regarded 

 as very rare, as it is also on Long Island. He met with one on the inner beach the 

 latter part of June, in company Avith a party of small Sandpipers. It was very 

 gentle, and showed no disposition to take Aving, even when he came quite near. This 

 proved to be a young male of that year, and its stomach contained particles of shells 



