p. H. BAHR : RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. 205 



" pirouette " round and round, as if endeavouring to stir 

 up animalculse from the bottom (Fig. 4). 



Bathing was a favourite enjoyment. This they per- 

 formed by bobbing up and down in the water, for all the 



Fig. 4.— " They 'pirouette ' round and round, as if endeaA'ouring to stir up 

 animalcula? from the bottom." 



world like miniature " jacks in the box " (Fig. 5) . Having 

 splashed themselves sufficiently they retired to land to 

 preen themselves, an action quite in keeping with their 

 invariably neat appearance. 



On the evening before our departure we resolved to 

 make an extra effort, and once more we hunted the 

 marshes, but in vain. The birds showed no anxiety what- 

 ever, and all appeared intent on courting, in which I 



Fia. 5. — '■ Bobbing up and down in the water." 



believe the male takes a more prominent part than he is 

 credited with. I frequently observed the male performing 

 evolutions, which I have previously described as the 

 "marriage flight." Zigzagging from side to side with 

 amazing rapidity he would hover with dangling legs over 

 the head of the female, who, circling placidly in the water, 

 appeared to take no notice of his attentions. Then 

 settling beside her he would peck and chase her as if 

 endeavouring to make her take to flight. Failing in 



