PHALAROPE. GRALLATORES. PHALAROPUS. 163 



seem to extend far beyond the limits of the arctic circle. In 

 summer, during the breeding season, they retire to very high 

 latitudes, and are amongst the few kinds met with by navi- 

 gators in those icy and desolate regions. In their habits 

 they are much more aquatic than the Tringas, &c. passing 

 the greater part of their lives on the water, and swimming 

 with great buoyancy and ease ; upon this element also they 

 obtain their food, consisting of marine insects and worms Food, 

 that live in the water, and move near the surface ; for it does 

 not appear that these birds are enabled to dive, never having 

 been observed to exercise that faculty, either when feeding, 

 or in their endeavours to escape from any threatened danger. 

 In addition to their lobated feet, they possess other peculia- 

 rities indicative of aquatic habits ; for we find the tarsus 

 slightly flattened (so as to offer less resistance to the water, 

 when drawn forwards to make the stroke in swimming), and 

 the plumage of the lower parts of the body rendered, by its 

 thick and close-set character, more impervious to the water, 

 similar to that of the Laridte and Anatida. They fly with 

 great strength and swiftness, and, when on wing, are not 

 easily distinguished from the Tringas. The nidification and 

 colour of the eggs of this species have not yet been de- 

 scribed. 



PLATE 28. represents the Phalarope, as killed in autumn, 

 when it has nearly acquired the winter or grey plu- 

 mage; and again in that which it assumes as spring 

 advances, and called the summer, or nuptial dress. 

 In the former state, the forehead, crown of the head, General 

 throat, fore part and sides of the neck, breast, and the ^^^ 

 whole of the under parts are white. Hind part of the Winter 

 head, ear-coverts, and streak down the nape of the P luma g a 

 neck, greyish-black. Upper parts of the body fine 

 bluish-grey, intermixed with a few feathers of a greyish- 

 black, margined with pale yellowish-brown and white ; 

 these being the remains of the summer plumage. Wing 



