84 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Genus PHALAROPUS. 



The Phalaropes were placed by Linnaeus in the genus Tringa ; hut in 

 1790 Latham recognized the validity of the genus Phalaropus, which 

 Brisson had established in 1760 for their reception in his ' Ornithologia/ 

 vi. p. 12. The Grey Phalarope, P.fulicarius (being the Phalaropus 

 phalaropus of Brisson) , is the type. 



The Phalaropes have the tarsus scutellated both before and behind, and 

 have a small hind toe. They may be distinguished by their lobed feet, 

 and by the softness of their plumage, in which respect they resemble the 

 Avocets, the Rails, and the Auks. 



The Phalaropes are confined during the breeding-season to the northern 

 portion of the Nearctic and Palsearctic Regions, retiring south to winter. 

 Only three species are known, one of which breeds in Europe and the 

 British Islands, the other being a winter visitor to our shores, whilst the 

 third is only found on the American continent. 



The Phalaropes are more aquatic in their habits than any other bird in 

 this family. They frequent the sea-coast, especially fjords, and less 

 frequently inland sheets of water. They are remarkably tame and confiding, 

 sometimes allowing themselves to be captured by the hand. In their 

 habits, food, flight, and mode of progression on the ground they do not 

 differ much from the species in the preceding genera, but they swim with 

 the greatest ease. They make their nests generally near water, on the 

 ground ; and their eggs are pyriform in shape and four in number. 



