BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



277 



to the study of this species, and have always been 

 charmed with its lively, confidential manner. 



Materials. Fine dead grass. The nest is deep, 

 and about the size of that of a Titlark, but not so 

 tidy in construction. 



Eggs. Four, ground-colour varying from olive- 

 green to light bufftsh-brown, spotted and blotched 

 with umber and blackish-brown, most thickly at the 

 larger end. Whan the nest has been situated close 

 to a muddy pool I have known the eggs so be- 

 smeared that the markings on them were almost 

 invisible. Size about i.i by .83 in. Very pyri- 

 form and easily distinguished by small size. (See 

 Plate VIII.) 



Time. June. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving in May and de- 

 parting in August. Note : Urn. Local and other 

 names : Red Phalarope, Half Web, Red-necked 

 Coot Foot, Red-necked Lobe Foot. Gregarious, 

 and very tame on its breeding grounds. 



MALE AND FEMALE RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. 



