SCOLOPACID.E. 



17^ 



SUB-FAMILY VL 



PhAL AROPODIX.E. * 



The Phalaropes. 



Gex. Charac. — Bill as long as, or longer than, tlie head, more or less slender, 

 and straight, the culmen straight, excej)t at the tip, which is curved, the 

 sides of the upper mandible curved for nearly its whole length; the nostrils 

 placed in the lateral groove, with the opening linear ; the wings long and 

 pointed; the tail short and rounded; the tarsi short and more or les 

 robust ; the toes moderate, united at the base, and more or less lobed on the 

 sides to the tips, the hind toe short, elevated, and margined slightly l>y a 

 narrow membrane. 



Fig. 187.— the grey pualarope. 

 (Phalarope hyperhorealis. ) 



Tliese birds are inliabitants of tlie nortliern re- 

 gions, but raigrate to more temperate climates 

 during severe winters. They are usually seen in 

 pairs, or in small parties, swimming rapidly about 

 on the sea, or on lakes, ponds, and streams of fresh 

 water, generally near the margins, in search of 

 floating seeds, aquatic insects, or small crustaceous 



* 0aXapoe, phalaroSj if/wte; tto i-c, pous, a /oot; White-footed. 



