PLOVERS AND SANDPIPERS. 93 



is then found on the coasts of Europe, Southern 

 Asia, Mexico, and Central America. Like the 

 preceding species it is thoroughly marine in its 

 choice of a haunt, but does not appear to wander for 

 such great distances from land. It is just as tame 

 and confiding, just as social in summer, and as 

 gregarious in winter. It swims equally as well 

 and buoyantly, with the same peculiar bobbing 

 motion ; whilst on the land it is able to run and 

 walk with ease. It exhibits the same reluctance 

 to take wing, preferring to retreat from danger by 

 swimming, although it flies on occasion quickly 

 and well. Its food is very similar, and its note 

 is a shrill but rather low weet. As Professor 

 Newton has remarked, both this and the preceding 

 species of Phalarope are entrancingly interesting 

 in their habits. " Their graceful form, their lively 

 colouration, and the confidence with which both are 

 familiarly displayed in their breeding-quarters can 

 hardly be exaggerated, and it is equally a delightful 

 sight to watch these birds gathering their food in 

 the high-running surf, or, when that is done, 

 peacefully floating outside the breakers."^ 



So far as concerns Scotland, the breeding season 

 of the Red-necked Phalarope commences in May, 

 but in more Arctic localities it is deferred until 

 several weeks later. It returns with unerring 

 regularity to the old accustomed spots to rear 



* Dictionary of Birds, p. 712. 



