110 BED-KECKED PHALAKOPE. 



them with her wings, like the domestic hen.' M. Faber 

 states that he has seen one of these birds swimming about 

 in pursuit of insects on the surface of one of the boiling 

 springs, which was so hot that he could not bear his hand 

 in it. In the spring of the year the male birds have contests 

 among themselves. Both parents exhibit much attachment 

 to their young, and also to each other. 



They swim with the greatest buoyancy and ease, and then 

 present a most graceful appearance, the head drawn backwards 

 over the shoulders. They run on the land in an equally 

 pleasing manner, and are quick and able in flight. They 

 have, at different times, been observed on the open sea 

 many miles from shore. Captain James Ross mentions the 

 occurrence of a small flock of these birds at a distance of 

 sixty miles from the nearest land. 



Their food is composed of small Crustacea, worms, sea insects, 

 and small gnats and flies. 



These birds are late in laying, only one or two eggs having 

 been found laid by nearly the middle of June. It appears 

 that the male birds assist the females in the task of incubation, 



The nest is placed in a hollow on a small hillock, or in 

 a tuft of grass by the edge of the water, and is deep in 

 shape the material dry grass. Both birds are much attached 

 to each other, as well as to their offspring. Several nests 

 are frequently placed in the same neighbourhood. 



The eggs appear to be four in number, and of a dull olive 

 green colour, a good deal blotted with black brown or dusky* 

 The young leave the nest soon after being hatched. 



Male; length, about eight inches; bill, black; about its base 

 the feathers are of a lead-colour, of which, a streak goes 

 backwards behind the eye; iris, dark brown. Crown, neck on 

 the back and nape, dark lead or slate-colour; in winter the 

 forehead is white, tinged with grey; the streak over the eye, 

 the crown, and the nape, are blackish grey; the neck on the 

 sides is fine yellowish red, which in winter wears away into 

 white, with sometimes a tinge of purple; in front dark grey 

 with a white edging; chin, white; throat, fine yellowish red, 

 in winter white, with a slight tinge of pink. Breast, white, 

 with some streaks below on the sides, of pale ash-colour, and 

 in winter with a faint blush of purple red; back, dark or 

 blackish lead-colour, the feathers with a margin of ash grey 

 and brownish yellow. v 



The wings expand to the width of about one foot two 



