PIIALAROPUS FULICARIUS. 275 



This Stilt is, in spring, one of the most common of the marsh- 

 birds on both sides of the Straits. At Meshree el Haddar, in 

 Morocco, and in the marisma of the Guadalquivir their numbers 

 were perfectly marvellous. In some seasons they have nested at 

 the Laguna de la Janda. They frequent open shallow pools and 

 lakes, and are very seldom seen where there is grass or rushes, 

 being, as a rule, very tame and confiding ; while their 

 conspicuous black-and-white plumage and noisy habits render 

 them certain to attract attention, either as they fly with their 

 long pink legs stretched out, Heron-like, behind them, or as they 

 wade about, usually up to their knees, in the shallow water, 

 where they seek their food in the shape of aquatic insects, gnats, 

 and flies. 



The Black-winged Stilt is almost entirely migratory ; but in 

 some years a few undoubtedly remain in Spain throughout the 

 winter, as I have seen small lots on the 26th and 27th of 

 November in different years, many on the 22nd of December, 

 and others on the 14th of January. The chief number appear 

 towards the end of March and beginning of April ; and they are 

 then not (infrequently seen near Gibraltar at the mouths of various 

 rivers, but soon pass on to their breeding-places, where they nest 

 in colonies and deposit their four eggs on the half-dried mud. 

 I have seen eggs as early as the 28th of April; but the majority 

 lay about the 10th of May. 



Bill black, twice as long as head, slender, straight, and ointed ; hind 

 toe absent ; nape, upper hind neck, wings, and back black ; underparts 

 white ; legs pale pink, about 4^ inches long. 



Old males have pure white heads. Length 13 inches. 



299. Phalaropus fulicarius (Linnaeus). The Lobed-footed 

 Stint or Grey Phalarope *. 



Favier mentions only two specimens of this bird as having been 



* " Phalarope," like " Hemipode," is an Anglicized compound name only- 

 understood by ornithologists. An English name, as used by Jerdon, is more 

 intelligible to the world in general. 



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