328 The IVater-fowl Family 



Downy yomig — Above, bright tawny, marked on crown, hind neck, 

 rump, flanks, and tail with black ; below, pale tawny, becoming 

 white on abdomen. 



Eggs — Four in number; color, drab, spotted with bistre; measure 

 1.37 by .94 inches. 



Habitat — Breeds in the interior of North America, from Illinois, 

 Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, eastern Cali- 

 fornia, and probably Mexico, north to Assiniboia, Alberta, and 

 Manitoba, and possibly Hudson Bay. Passes south through 

 Central America, wintering from Mexico to Brazil, Patagonia, 

 Chili, and the Falkland Islands. Has been recorded in migra- 

 tions from Quebec, from Maine to New Jersey on the Atlantic 

 Coast, and British Columbia to Lower California on the 

 Pacific. 



A bird of the Western states, most common on 

 the prairie and the alkali lakes of the highlands, 

 going as far north as the plains of the Saskatche- 

 wan. It is found through the summer in Illinois, 

 Wisconsin, and Minnesota, more abundantly in 

 Dakota and Montana and in districts close to the 

 Rocky Mountains. In Nevada and Utah and 

 Salt Lake Valley this bird is vAy abundant, both 

 spring and fall, while many remain to breed. 



In northern Mexico I saw the Wilson's phala- 

 rope in late May; nearly every small pool had its 

 pair. The female in its breeding dress is a beau- 

 tiful bird, and like the other members of this 

 group is larger and handsomer than the male. 



This variety undoubtedly breeds through a 

 large part of its range. The nest is often placed 

 in a tussock of grass near the water, the male in- 

 cubating the eggs, both birds showing the utmost 



