GREY PHALAEOPE. 105 



It is a migratory species, moving southwards for the winter, 

 and retiring to the north in the spring. 



These birds are much addicted to swimming, and have been 

 observed by Sir Edward Parry, to adopt that mode of removal 

 from the approach of danger, in preference to flying away. 

 In their native haunts, far away from common interruption, 

 they are exceedingly tame; and this feature in their character 

 continues to manifest itself in those individuals that occur here, 

 who have not been taught by harsh experience to become wary 

 of too frequent danger. They exhibit a very graceful appearance 

 on the water, and nod the head constantly in their movements. 

 They are said by Audubon to be excellent eating. 



They fly fast and well, and run nimbly on the shore. 



The species feeds on small Crustacea and water-insects, gnats 

 and their larvae. 



The note is likened by Meyer to the word 'pick, pick,' 

 uttered quickly and in a high tone. 



The nest of this bird is described as slight, lined with a 

 few grasses, or a mere formation of the natural herbage 

 around, and placed in a hollow on some elevated spot in 

 marshy places, but always in the vicinity of water, either 

 the sea or some inland lake or river. 



The eggs are usually four in number^ of a stone-colour, 

 with a tinge of olive, and spots and specks of dark brown. 

 The old birds shew great fondness for their young, and 

 remain with them till they are well able to fly. 



The under plumage is thick and close-set. Male; weight, 

 one ounce and a quarter, to one and three quarters, according 

 to the condition the bird is in at the time; length, eight 

 inches and a quarter; bill, yellow at the base, black at the 

 tip, in winter blackish brown; it is flattened near the point; 

 between it and the eye is a white streak; iris, dark chesnut 

 brown, the eye is surrounded by white; above and behind it 

 is a broad streak of pale dull yellow. Head on the sides, 

 white on the upper part, and below reddish brown, with a 

 tinge of orange going down the sides of the neck; crown, 

 back of the neck, and nape, dusky olive brown, with, in 

 summer, broad rufous orange or yellowish edgings to the 

 feathers. In winter the forehead, crown, with a patch of 

 greyish black, sides of the head, front and sides of the neck, 

 are white; chin and throat, pale dusky greyish black, in 

 winter white; breast, reddish orange brown, in winter white, 

 with a patch of fine grey under the shoulder of the wing 



