340 Synopsis of the Birds 



Colors in summer brownish and reddish, changing in winter 

 to gray and white. 



Essentially aquatic. Not shy. Live in small flocks on 

 sea coasts, and rarely fresh-water lakes, venturing far at sea. 

 Feed on aquatic insects and other small animals, which they 

 seek in lakes or the sea. Strictly monogamous : copulate in 

 the water : build on shore, among grass : eggs 4 — 6 : both 

 sexes incubate and attend the young ; young leave the nest, 

 run about and swim as soon as hatched. Flight rapid, ele- 

 gant. Hardly ever seen on dry ground. Smallest of swim- 

 mers : swim expertly, resisting the heaviest waves, never 

 diving. Flesh oily, unpalatable. 



Inhabit Arctic seas, whence they migrate in the autumn and 

 winter, to the temperate regions of both continents. Formed 

 of but one genus ; only three species, all found in North 

 America, though two only in Europe; very much embroiled, 

 and of which several nominal have been formed ; each fully 

 deserves to constitute a subgenus. Placed by authors in dif- 

 ferent families and even orders. In form and habits different 

 from all, and deserving a separate station. Connects the 

 Family Limicolce, with the Order Anseres. 



59. PHALAROPUS. 



Pkalarojjus, Briss. Lath. 111. Temm. Ranz. Tiinga, 

 L. Gin. Phalaropus, Lobipes, Cuv. Phalaropus, Crymophi- 

 lus, Vieill. 



SUBGENUS I. PHALAROPUS. 



Phalaropus, Cuv. nee Vieill. Crymophilus, Vieill. 



Bill moderate, stout, much depressed throughout, some- 

 what trigonal at base, point dilated, rounded, curved : nostrils 

 not quite basal, subovate : tongue short, broad, fleshy, ob- 

 tuse at tip. Tarsi short, robust, but little compressed ; ante- 

 rior toes shortish ; middle one connected with the outer to 



