114 BIRDS 



The nests are beautifully constructed of dead rushes, and 

 especially grass. These receptacles are deep and are clev- 

 erly woven to living vegetation over water from six to thirty 

 inches deep. The nests rise and fall with the water, so that 

 the birds have no fear of floods. 



The eggs have a decided clay color, dotted all over vdth 

 minute specks of dark brown or black. 



THE NORTHERN PHALAROPE* 



The Northern Phalarope has a wide range, extending 

 throughout the northern portion of the Northern Hemi- 

 sphere and in winter reaching the tropics. It breeds only 

 in Arctic latitudes. It is a bird of the ocean and seldom is 

 observed inland, except as a rare migrant early in ]May or in 

 October. Then it " frequents slow streams or marshy pools." 



This phalarope belongs to the shore birds and to a fam- 

 ily that contains but three known species. Two of these are 

 sea birds. The other, Wilson's phalarope, is an inliabitant 

 of the interior of North America. Their feet are webbed, 

 and usually two marine forms, or sea snipe, as they are 

 sometimes called, migrate in flocks far from land. 



It is not an exaggeration to say that it is one of the 

 most beautiful of our aquatic birds. All its motions are 

 graceful. It possesses a quiet dignity and elegance while 

 swimming in search of food, which it frequently obtains by 

 thrusting its bill into the water. In this manner it obtains 

 a large number of marine animals and flies that may be on 

 the surface of the water. When on the shore it may be seen 

 wading and swimming in ponds near the coast. 



