EED-NECKED PHALAEOPE. 5 



species as observed by him in Alaska * : — " As summer approaches on the Arctic 

 shores and coast of Bering Sea, the numberless pools, until now hidden under a 

 snowy covering, become bordered or covered with water; the mud about their 

 edges begins to soften, and through the water the melting ice in the bottom looks 

 pale green. 



" The ducks and geese fill the air with their loud resounding cries, and the 

 rapid wing-strokes of arriving and departing flocks add a heavy bass to the chorus 

 which greets the opening of another glad season in the wilds of the cheerless 

 north. Amid this loud-tongued multitude suddenly appears the graceful, fairy- 

 like form of the Northern Phalarope. Perhaps, as the hunter sits by the border 

 of a secluded pool still half covered with snow and ice, a pair of slight wings flit 

 before him, and there, riding on the water, scarcely making a ripple, floats this 

 charming and elegant bird. It glides hither and thither on the water apparently 

 drifted by its fancy, and skims about the pool like an autumn leaf wafted before 

 the playful zephyrs on some embosomed lakelet in the forest. The delicate tints 

 and slender fragile form, combining grace of color and outline with a peculiarly 

 dainty elegance of motion, render this the most lovely and attractive among its 

 handsome congeners. 



" The first arrivals reach Saint Michaels in full plumage from May 14 to 15, 

 and their number is steadily augmented until, the last few days of May and 1st of 

 June, they are on hand in full force and ready to set about the season's cares. 

 Every pool now has from one to several pairs of these birds gliding in restless 

 zigzag motion around its border, the slender necks at times darting quickly right 

 or left as the bright black eyes catch sight of some minute particle of food. They 

 may be watched with pleasure for hours, and present a picture of exquisite 

 gentleness which renders them an unfailing soiurce of interest. The female of 

 this bird, as is the case with the two allied species, is much more richly colored 

 than the male, and possesses all the ' rights ' demanded by the most radical 

 reformers. 



"As the season comes on when the flames of love mount high, the 

 dull-coloured male moves about the pool, apparently heedless of the surrounding 

 fair ones. Such stoical indifference usually appears too much for the feelings of 

 some of the fair ones to bear. A female coyly glides close to him and bows her 

 head in pretty submissiveness, but he turns away, pecks at a bit of food and 

 moves off; she follows and he quickens his speed, but in vain; he is her choice, 

 and she proudly arches her neck and in mazy circles passes and repasses close 



* 'Eeport upon Natural History Collections made in Alaska between the years 1877 and 1881,' 

 pp. 99, 100. 



