BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 163 



Strikingly with the dark blue plumage. In a rear view, two white patches 

 on the lower tail coverts are displayed on either side of the upturned tail, 

 and suggest the recognition marks on the rump of a prong-horn. These white 

 patches are noticeable both as the bird swims and as it flies. 



go [222] Crymophilus fulicarius (Linn.). 

 Red Phalarope. 



Rare and irregular transient visitor ; May 1 5 ; August 3 1 to November 

 24. 



The Phalaropes are all ocean wanderers, feeding and resting on the surface 

 of the water. 



On November 24th, 1901, in a fierce northeaster, I shot one of these birds 

 as it was flying over the waves at Ipswich Beach. Two were taken at Magnolia, 

 September 19th, and later, in 1869.' There are three specimens in the collec- 

 tion of the Peabody Academy, two of which were taken in September, 1886. 

 Mr. W. A. Jeffries 2 took a specimen at Swampscott, on September 26th, 1890. 

 There is a specimen taken at Lynn and another taken off Cape Ann, the latter on 

 August 31st, 1879, in the collection of the Boston Society of Natural History. 

 There is also one in the collection of Dr. F. H. Stockwell, of Ipswich, taken at 

 that place. 



The Phalarope's habit of flying over the water, pausing from time to time 

 to sit and swim on the surface, makes its recognition easy. In the spring plum- 

 age the dull red breast serves to distinguish this species from the others. 

 In the autumn, the breast is white but even in this plumage the bird is easily dis- 

 tinguished from the Northern Phalarope by its larger and stockier form and 

 stouter bill. 



91 [223] Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.). 

 Northern Phalarope; "Sea Goose"; "Web-footed Peep." 



Irregular, but at times common transient visitor; May; August 10 to 

 October 11. 



' C. J. Maynard : Birds of Eastern North America, p. 188, 1884. 

 - W. A. Jeffries : Auk, vol. 8, p. 112, 1891. 



