GREY PHALAROPE. 287 



Purre." It is chiefly to the arctic navigators that we are 

 indebted for our knowledge of the habits of this species, 

 which in summer extends as far northward as Melville 

 Peninsula, and is said also to be abundant in the eastern 

 parts of the north of Europe. Although it searches the 

 shores of the sea, lakes, and rivers in the manner of Tringas, 

 it is frequently seen at a great distance from land, walking 

 on masses of floating sea-weeds, or swimming in the open 

 ocean. With reference to this part of their economy, M. 

 Temminck remarks : — " I do not see how birds having man- 

 ners and forms so dissimilar could be associated with the 

 Tringee and Totani." In these respects, hoAvever, it is 

 obvious they are precisely analogous to the Dippers, which, 

 although very closely allied to the Thrushes, are essentially 

 aquatic. The terrestrial Corncrake and the aquatic Water- 

 hen afford a similar example of affinity. Mr. Audubon, who 

 met with the Grey Phalarope on the Ohio in the end of 

 antumn, states that a large flock, of which he was in pursuit, 

 " swam beautifully, played about, picked up substances 

 floating on the water, now dispersed, and again came close 

 together, until at length coming opposite to a small sand-bar 

 stretching out from the shore to the distance of a few yards, 

 they directed their course towards it, and waded out. When 

 just landing, they were so close to each other that I could 

 not Avithstand the temptation, and so levelled my gun, pulled 

 both triggers, and saw that I had made considerable havoc 

 among them. Those which had not been hitten flew off in a 

 compact body, while the birds that had been but slightly 

 wounded made for the water, and swam away so fast that 

 they seemed to be running on the surface." " Their flight 

 was rapid, resembling that of the Red-backed Sandpiper, 

 Tringa alpina ; and they performed vaiious evolutions, some- 

 times skimming over the water, when they kept more apart 

 than either when rising at first or when they reached a 

 certain height ; on attaining which they pursued their course 

 with alternate inclinations to either side. According to 

 Captain J. C. Ross, these birds breed in great numbers far 

 north. The eggs, of which he has favoured me with some, 

 measure an inch and a quarter by seven-eighths ; their 



