12 BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 



63 — 221. American Coot. Fulica americana. 



Abundant. Breeds in numbers in all large sloughs, and many of the 

 smaller ones. Very prolific layers, and do not seem to get discouraged at 

 the number of times their nests are robbed. We estimated that at least 

 3000 eggs were taken by half-breeds and Indians around Rock Lake in the 

 early summer of 1895. Probably the noisiest and most pugnacious of the 

 water birds. I have watched a couple of male birds fight for over an hour. 

 First migrants noted last week in April. Full sets of eggs found May 24. 



64 — 223. Northern Phalarope. Phalaropus robatiis. 



Tolerably common spring migrations. Not noted in fall. Arrive the third 

 week in May and stay but a few days, usually in the more open alkali ponds. 



65 — 224. Wilson's Plialarope. Phalaropus tricolor. 



Common resident. We found it breeding in numbers in favorable locali- 

 ties around Rock Lake. Nests are situated not far from the water, on level, 

 moist ground, as a rule. Nearly always in a thick growth of grass, a very 

 slight attempt at nest building being made. In several instances eggs were 

 found in such positions as to show that they had been iiioved by the birds for" 

 some reason — a habit attributed to them by other observers. The eggs usually 

 number four, and are of a very marked similarity in general, but each set 

 has an individuality of its own. Our observations led us to think that they 

 did not try to lay a second set when, for any reason, their nests were broken 

 up, and that at that time they also left the country or went into the thick, 

 grassy portions about the lake and kept out of sight.' First arrivals noted 

 May 1. Eggs found first week in June. A very interesting species to study. 



66 — 225. American Avocet. Eecurrirostra americana. 



A comparatively rare species, haunting the vicinity of alkali lakes. Un- 

 doubtedly breeds, as a female taken May 15 by Dr. Bishop had an egg full- 

 formed which would probably have been deposited that day or the next. Not 

 seen in the fall. 



67 — 230. Wilson's Snipe. Gallinago delicata. 



Moderately common migrant. Were very common from July to October 

 in 1893, feeding in wet, grassy sloughs. Not seen at all during the dry sea- 

 sons of 1890-1891, nor were they common in 1894-1895. Have been told that 

 they were very plentiful in 1886. (Since found breeding in Turtle Mountains 

 in some numbers.) 



68 — 232. Long:-l)ille<l Dowitcher. Macrorhamphus scolopacens. 



Moderately common. Irregular migrant in late summer. 



69 — 233. Stilt Sandpiper. Micropalama himantopus. 



A small flock seen May 27, 1895, and another flock or two the last week 

 in July migrating south, comprise the records for this species. 



70 — 239. Pectoral Sandpiper. Tringa macnlata. 



Abundant migrant. They arrive the last week in April, and are found 

 feeding until well along in May, around all the shallow sloughs that abound 

 all over the prairies during the spring, in wet seasons, and especially the 

 alkali flats. 



71 — 240. White-nimped Sandpiper. Tringa fuscicollis. 



The most abundant migrant of the sandpiper family. First seen as early 

 as April 19 on their northward journey. They feed there until the middle of 

 May. 



72—241. Baird's Sandpiper. Tringa Bairdii. 



Common migrant. Arrives from the south the third week in April. They 

 are to be found feeding or coursing swiftly over the prairies until about the 

 middle of May. 



