PHALAEOPUS HTPERBOREUS 309 



Haddar, in Mai-occo, and in the marisma of the Guadalquivir, their 

 numbers were perfectly marvellous. 



The species inhabits Southern Europe, occurring irregularly in 

 Central and Northern Europe. In Asia it is to be found in the more 

 temperate and warmer regions, and throughout the greater part of 

 Africa. 



The Black-winged Stilt frequents the borders of lakes and marshes 

 as well as shallows on the sea-shore, where the water is not too deep. 

 It is usually to be found in small parties or in pairs, and is far from 

 shy or wary. Its flight is fairly swift and buoyant, and when walking 

 or running, its movements are light and graceful. Its usual note in 

 spring is not unlike the syllable " guip,'" repeated three times. It 

 apparently feeds chiefly on aquatic insects, picking the winged ones 

 off the surface of the water with great dexterity. As stated by Salvin, 

 this species nests among wet grass or other herbage, often choosing 

 a tuft as a site for the nest, and lays four eggs. The colour of these 

 is a warm buff, blotched and streaked with black. Average measure- 

 ments 43 X 31 mm. 



PHALAROPUS HYPERBOREUS (LinnKus). 

 EED-NECKED PHALAROPE. 



Tringa hyperborea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 249 (1766). 



Phalaropus hyperboreus, Tunst. Orn. Brit. p. 3 (1771) ; Sharpe, Cat. 



Birds Brit. 2Ius. xxiv, p. 698 ; Koenig, J. f. 0. 1888, p. 265 ; id. 



J. f. 0. 1893, p. 94 ; Whitaker, Ibis, 1895, p. 106. 

 Lobipes hyperboreus, Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. ii, p. 289 (1867). 



Description. — Adult male, winter, from Tunis, North Tunisia. 



Forehead white; crown, nape, hind-neck and a patch round and behind 

 the eye dull black ; back and scapulars black, with buff margins to the 

 feathers ; wings dull black, the coverts tipped with white ; tail blackish ; 

 entire under parts white. 



Iris dark brown ; bill blackish ; feet slate-colour, with the toes, lobed. 

 J Total length 7 inches, wing 3'35,_culmen 1, tarsus 'SO, 



Adult female is similar in plumage, but rather larger than the male. 



The summer plumage of both male and female is brighter and richer, 

 and on each side of the neck there is a conspicuous rufous patch, which 

 disappears in autumn. 



