Shore-bird Shooting 329 



concern if the nest is approached. When hatched 

 the young are escorted to the water and they feed 

 at its edge, often drifting out on to the surface of 

 the pond, the very picture of grace and ease. 



Generally the Wilson's phalarope is seen in 

 small flocks of six or more, but occasionally in the 

 fall it gathers in large numbers. Through July 

 into August few of the prairie sloughs are with- 

 out their little flock of these birds. As a rule 

 they give no heed to man's presence, if approached 

 floating lightly away. In August they begin to 

 work their way south through the plains into 

 Mexico and northern South America, even reach- 

 ing the pampas of Brazil and Patagonia. 



In eastern United States and on the Atlantic 

 Coast the bird is exceedingly rare. There are a 

 few New England instances: one is recorded of 

 a male taken by Mr. George O. Welch at Nahant, 

 May, 1874, and specimens were shot by Mr. 

 William Brewster at Rye Beach in 1872. 



