Older LIMICOL^. 



Family PHALAPiOPODIJ:)^E. 



CRYMOPHILUS FULICAlMUS (L ) (222.) 

 RED PHALAROPE. 



The Phalaropes are chiefly distinguished from the other 

 families of the order to which they belong by their lobate feet. 

 There are only three species known in this country, and they 

 are divided into two genera. This one stands alone in its 

 genus, but is a companion of the Northern Phalarope in its 

 breeding only in the artic latitudes so far as is at present 

 known. It is only a transient migrant here, seen in its spring 

 migration about the 10th of May, and again in August, usually 

 not far from the 25th in its southern movements. I have 

 generally found them at those limes occupying sandy knolls in 

 the vicinity of the smaller lakes and ponds, yetnot infrequently 

 on the dry, cattle grazed prairies; notably in early times in the 

 vicinity of Fort Snelling and westerly from there upon the 

 highlands along the Minnesota river. When looking for them 

 I have seldom been disappointed in finding them very regularly 

 at these times and in these localities until in late years they 

 have sought more retired spots to avoid the pothunters, whose 

 bags bear testimony that they still visit us at the usual times 

 mentioned. They remain about from two to three weeks, when 

 the maternal impulse sends them to their chosen latitudes for 

 breeding in their spring migrations, and towards the south for 

 food in their autumnal 



Should the time of their migration be characterized by ex- 

 tremes of the weather, they remain but a very short time. I 

 have seldom failed to find more or less of them in the hands of 

 those indefatigable taxidermists, Messrs. Wm. Howling and 

 Son, at these seasons, freshly procured for mounting to fill 

 orders from distant sections for museums, or for private 

 collections. Mr. Washburn's visits to the Red river country 

 were a little too earl}' for their presence. 



