246 LOBE-FOOTED BIRDS. 



the period of reproduction on the plains of the Saskatche- 

 wan, being also a stranger to the coasts of Hudson's Bay. 

 Taking the interior of the continent for its abode, it is seen 

 not uncommon on the borders of lakes, in the vicinity of 

 the city of Mexico. In these situations, choosing the shel- 

 ter of some grassy tuft, it forms an artless nest, in which it 

 deposits 2 or 3 pyriform eggs, between yellowish-grey and 

 cream color, interspersed with small roundish spots, and a 

 few larger blotches of umber-brown, somewhat crowded 

 towards the obtuse end. From the structure of its legs 

 and feet, this remarkable species, so distinct from the others, 

 appears more suited for a wading or walking, than an emi- 

 nent swimming bird. In the United States, it can only be 

 considered as a straggler, of which a specimen has been 

 obtained near Philadelphia, in May, and another in the 

 State of New York. As yet, we have never met with it in 

 this vicinity. 



Wilson's Plialarope appears to vary in size from 9^ to 10^ inches. 

 The bill black, and very straight, 1 inch and 4 lines long. The tar- 

 sus compressed as in the Sea Ducks, 1 inch 5 lines. Naked part of 

 the thioh 7^ lines. The middle toe 1 inch. Summer jyluviage of the 

 adult female : Crown of the head and lores pearl grey : medial stripe 

 on the neck greyish- white. Dorsal plumage, wings, and tail broccoli- 

 brown 5 shafts of the primaries umber-brown, the first one nearly 

 white. Lesser quills and their coverts slightly edged with white. 

 Sides of the neck rich chestnut-brown, which is continued in a stripe 

 over the shoulders, down the outside of the interscapulars : there is 

 a similar stripe on the outer border of the scapulars, and a tinge of 

 the same color over the throat. A spot before the eye, the sides of 

 the rump, tips of the lateral tail feathers, also stripes on their shafts, 

 and mottling on their inner webs, with the borders of the upper tail 

 coverts, the chin, and nnder jjlumage pure white. A velvet black 

 band commences on the lores, includes the eye, and runs half way 

 down the neck, becominiy broader after passing the ears. Legs 

 brov/nish-black. Tail with a double, but very shallow emargination. 



