KED-KECKED PHALAROPE. 109 



In Norfolk one or two occur annually in the autumn, and 

 so also on their return in the spring. One near Yarmouth, 

 at the mouth of the river, on the 4th. of November, 1854, 

 Mr. James Hunt has written me word of. One in the 

 parish of Weybourn; four near Salthouse, in the autumn of 

 1846. In the county of Northumberland this bird has been 

 obtained one near Alnwick. In Yorkshire, one was procured 

 at Wilberfoss, near York, on the 2nd. of June, 1854; it was 

 in full summer dress, and was swimming at the time on a 

 pond near a house in company with some ducks; one near 

 Redcar, November 22nd., 1851: one near Scarborough, in 

 December, 1853. This species occasionally is met with near 

 Burlington, along the coast, in the winter. In Suffolk, two 

 at Benacre, on the 23rd., and one on the 24th. of Septem- 

 ber, 1853. In Sussex, one was killed on a pond near Lewes, 

 in November, 1849; one, a male, near Old Shoreham, about 

 the second week in September, 1845; and another, a female, 

 near Falmer, on the 20th. of May, 1846; one at Rottingdean, 

 the 4th. of October, 1853, it was at the time swimming on 

 a pond in the middle of the village in company with some 

 ducks, llennie also mentions his having seen one on the 

 coast. 



It breeds, but locally, in the Orkney Islands, San day, 

 Westray, 'Orcades ambo,' as also in North Eonaldshay, 

 Sandwick, in Pomona, and others. Mr. C. St. John has 

 also found them, evidently engaged with nests, in the month 

 of June, in Sutherlandshire, near Loch Naver. 



Their proper haunts are the sea-coast, and the skirts of 

 any islands or lakes in the immediate neighbourhood. 



They migrate on the approach of autumn to more southerly 

 districts. 



They are exceedingly tame, and allow of a very close 

 advance. In the winter they assemble in large flocks in the 

 countries where they are more at home. 'On the approach 

 of danger, the old bird runs among the herbage, spreading 

 her wings, and counterfeiting lameness, for the purpose of 

 deluding the intruder; and, after leading the enemy from 

 her young, she takes wing and flies to a great height, at 

 the same time displaying a peculiar action of the wings; 

 then descending with great velocity, and making, simulta- 

 neously, a noise with her wings. On her return to her 

 young she uses a particular cry, for the purpose of gathering 

 them together. As soon as she has collected them, she covers 



