16 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



[vol. IX. 



Altogether I found five nests of this species — ^two on 

 the Golchika Island and three in the marshes on the 

 mainland. It seems as if both male and female unite 

 to care for the young, and when the breeding-ground 

 is approached they fly around and call anxiously. The 

 Grey Phalarope breeds comparatively late, for eggs 

 very slightly incubated were found on July 11th. This 

 was probably owing to the flooded state of the marshes. 

 Nevertheless, because the young broods fledge with 



Fig. 4. MALE GREY PHALAKOPE CLEARING THE EGliS. 

 {Photographed by Maud D. Haviland.) 



strange rapidity, the Grey Phalaropes were the first of all 

 birds to leave the district. There was no flocking, no 

 preliminary' flights o\er the river to advertise their 

 movements. They just disappeared at the beginning 

 of August, and by the 5th of the month there Mas not 

 a bird to be seen. The early departure of this species 

 is curious, because the Red-necked IMialarope, Mhich 

 is apparently identical with it in habits, food and hainits, 

 remained common until the end of August. 



