NORTHERN PHALAROPE 275 



Northern Phalarope. Phalaropus lobatus 



7.75. Bill .85 



Ad. 9 in summer. — Top and sides of head and upper back 

 bluish-gray ; sides of neck rich rusty brown; wings dark, with a 

 bar of white; throat white; breast bluish-gray, tinged with rich 

 rusty brown; belly white. Ad. $ in summer. — Similar, but duller; 

 upper parts blackish-brown, streaked with buff. Ad. 9 and £ in 

 winter. — Forehead, stripe over eye, and under parts white; top of 

 head, back, and wings grayish. Im. — Similar, but upper parts 

 blacker; breast washed with brownish. 



The Northern Phalarope is a regular migrant along the 

 sea-coast in May, August, and September, but occurs generally 

 so far out at sea that it is rarely observed from the shore. 

 It is only when blown out of its course by storms that it is 

 seen in the outer bays and harbors, or off the beaches. Occa- 

 sionally it is found some distance inland, particularly on 

 the lakes of Maine. Large flocks of Phalaropes are often 

 observed from vessels crossing to the Maritime Provinces or 

 from trans- Atlantic liners. The birds ride easily or grace- 

 fully on the water, or when disturbed rise and fly off in a 

 compact body, their long wings and manner of flight 

 reminding one at once of their relationship to the sandpipers. 

 They are called " Sea-geese " by the fishermen, from their 

 habit of stretching out their long necks when alarmed. 



To distinguish the Northern Phalarope from the following 

 species, when not in the breeding plumage, is difficult, espe- 

 cially at sea, where absolute size counts for so little. The 

 Red Phalarope shows more black on the top of the head and in 

 the wings, and is much less frequently seen near the "shore. 



Red Phalarope. Crymophilus fulicarius 



8.12. Bill .87. 



Ad. 9 w» breeding plumage. — Top of head black; patch about 

 eye white; back streaked with black and yellowish-brown; wings 

 black and white; throat bluish-slate; rest of under parts deep 

 pinkish-cinnamon; rump tinged with same. Ad. $ in breeding 



