Migration of Phnlaropes in Montana. 6& 



with a camera, while the much smaller male stood close to her, 

 as if he well understood that our intentions were peaceful. 



It was hoped that the Wilson's Phalaropes which fre- 

 quented our ranch would remain to breed, as they were in a 

 secluded spot, where no disturbance reached them ; but 

 although they seemed well pleased with their surroundings, 

 by June 4th all had departed. 



The Wilson^s Phalaropes, both when feeding and when 

 disturbed and circling on the wing, constantly uttered a low 

 croaking, which at close quarters might be compared to the 

 much louder note of Sand-hill Cranes, or, at a distance, to 

 the faintly-heard barking of a dog. On the other hand, I 

 have heard them give a shrill and totally different call of 

 indecision or satisfaction on their first arrival, when hovering 

 above a pool. 



Both species gave the impression of extraordinary activity 

 as they fed greedily on a species of gnat which swarmed 

 close to the surface of the water. To catch these gnats they 

 swam about with incredible swiftness, moving their necks 

 from side to side, or backward and forward, incessantly. 



In every flock of Wilson''s Phalaropes the females greatly 

 outnumbered the males, and to say that the latter were less 

 richly coloured hardly expresses the diiference between them. 



By the side of the gay-plumaged females the males appeared 

 insignificant dark grey birds, with white underparts ; and 

 only on a very close inspection could the faint chestnut wash 

 on the neck and the indistinct white stripe of the nape be 

 detected. It can hardly be supposed that all of the great 

 number examined through binoculars at close range were 

 immature examples. 



Among males of P. hyperboreus both young and adult 

 individuals were noticed, several of the latter approximating 

 in some degree to the more gaily-dressed females. 



The stomachs of the Phalaropes examined contained minute 

 stones, grass, and the black gnats above alluded to, mashed 

 to a pulp. The eggs in the ovaries of the females were 

 extremely small, not much larger than pin-heads ; in only 

 one was there an egg the size of a pea. 



In the Red-necked Phalaropes the bill was black, the 



