THE PHALAROPES 261 



species of Waders for the male to sit during the day, the only time 

 when colour is important. This may have been the origin of the 

 duller plumage of the male phalaropes, and following it the singular 

 reversal of sexual habits. Bearing in mind this fact, that male Waders 

 generally do the incubating by day, I do not think sufficient proof has 

 been offered to show that female phalaropes may not take a share by 

 sitting during the night, as is presumably the case with other Waders. 

 True, it has been stated that when the eggs are laid the females of all 

 phalaropes form flocks and lead a club-life, leaving the males to hatch 

 out and bring up the young. The rednecked-phalarope does not at 

 any rate exhibit so complete an emancipation from domestic duties as 

 this would necessitate, nor does the male relegate entirelv to the female 



o %f 



his rights in courting and even fighting for a mate. Dr. P. H. Bahr, in 

 an interesting account of the spring habits of this species observed 

 by him in Scotland, 1 described how he saw two males continuously 

 circling round the head of a swimming female, and then, on settling 

 on the water, " would face each other with lowered beaks and ruffled 

 plumage, just like two fighting-cocks." So clearly did this aerial 

 display of the male appear to be a courting action, that Dr. Bahr 

 described it as the marriage flight. " Zig-zagging from side to side 

 with amazing rapidity, he would hover with dangling legs over the 

 head of the female, who, circling placidly in the water, appeared to 

 take no notice of his attentions. Then settling beside her he would 

 peck and chase her as if endeavouring to make her take to flight. 

 Failing in this, he would dash off once more across the marsh, uttering 

 a warbling sort of song much like that of the ringed-plover. Then he 

 would settle in a reedy spot, such as would be chosen for the nesting- 

 site, and would call vigorously, looking always in the direction of the 

 female, as if expecting her to follow." 



Several pairs were seen behaving in this manner, and such was 

 the apparent fervour of the males that they persisted "even in the 

 midst of one of the worst storms we experienced." Whether it was 



1 British Birds (magazine), vol. i. pp. 202-7. 



