334 GAME BIEDS OF CALIFOBNIA 



Distribution in California — Fairly coinnion summer visitant and breeder 

 in suitable localities in the northeastern section of the state, east of the 

 Sierran divide, from Lake Tahoe northward, and westward to Lower Klamath 

 Lake on the Oregon line. In spring migration has been observed at various 

 inland points north to vicinity of Los Banos, Merced County; also on the 

 coast at Santa Barbara. In fall migration occurs sparingly on coast from 

 San Francisco southward, but more commonly inland. 



The Wilson Phalarope, or Needle-billed Snipe as it has been called 

 in parts of the east, is the non-maritime representative of the phala- 

 ropes, and is the only strictly American member of its family. It is 

 a distinctly fresh water species in its habits and is seen but rarely 

 even near the seacoast. In the spring migration it has been observed 

 inland at Salton Sea (April 21), Los Banos (May 11 and June 19), 



Death and Owens valleys (June 19 



y--^^^~ ^ and 27), and, on the coast, at Santa 



y^ Q, Barbara (April 30 to May 20). In 



c- — "^r ^ '"- ^^ '^^ ^^ ^^^ been taken at Ceme- 



^-^ i'^^' teries, San Mateo County (September 



^. .„ „. -, ^ , .„ ^ ^,,., 9), and has been noted at Santa Bar- 

 Fig. o9. Side of bill of Wilson 

 Phalarope. Natural size. »ara (July 22 to September 8), and, 



Note extremely slender form "^ the Southern mountain ranges, at 

 (whence the name "Needle-billed Bear Lake, San Bernardino Moun- 

 Snipe"), and length over 1.00 , ■ i x ^ ooj. a j-r»\ i 



inch (compare with figs. 57 and ^^^"^^ (^^^^ ^8 to August 2), and 

 58). Hemet Lake, San Jacinto Mountains 



(August 11). One specimen is re- 

 ported as having been taken at Riverside in the "winter of 1891" 

 (Heller, lf)01, p. 100). It is possible that the species breeds in the 

 San Joaquin Valley, as at Los Baiios (Chapman, MS; Mailliard, MS), 

 and at Tulare Lake (Goldman, 19086, p. 203). 



After the breeding season this bird wanders about extensively, 

 and the records on the Atlantic coast ar-e doubtless due to this pro- 

 pensity to wander. It is certainly nowhere such an abundant species 

 as the two maritime members of the group. Unlike the other two 

 species of phalaropes the Wilson rarely associates in large flocks, and 

 when nesting only a few pairs are ordinarily to be found in a given 

 locality. 



From the other two phalaropes the Wilson may be distinguished 

 by its large size, long neck, long needle-like bill (fig. 59), white upper 

 tail coverts, and by the absence of white on its back and wings in all 

 plumages. From other shore birds it may be distinguished by the 

 combination of its swimming propensity and moderate size, with 

 straight and extremely slender bill, slender head and neck, unmarked 

 under surface, and absence of a white bar or patch on its wing. 



The call-note of the Wilson Phalarope has been variously described 

 by different authors. Forbush (1912, p. 229, citing Chapman) 



