CIV. 

 PHALAROPUS HYPERBOREUS. (Lath. 



Red-nkcked Phalarote. 



This interesting little bird is, I believe, confined in this 

 country, during the breeding season, to one or two of the 

 Orkney Islands, near the fresh water locks of which it makes 

 its nest. On the neighbouring isles of Shetland I searched 

 for it in vain, although I explored the whole pretty narrowly. 

 I have, besides, the authority of Dr. Edraonston, an orni- 

 thologist, and a resident upon the spot, for stating that it 

 does not breed there, as mentioned by Mr. Gould. On Sanda, 

 their chief resort, they are by no means numerous ; and from 

 their extreme tameness, will, I sadly fear, ere long become 

 extinct, if they have not already been extirrainated, by the 

 ruthless hand of Mr, Dunn, of whom I have before had oc- 

 casion to speak. The best account which I have seen, 

 relating to the nidification of the Red-necked Phalarope, is 

 in Loudon's Magazine, by Mr. Salmon, who kindly presented 

 me with the prettily marked egg from which the figure is 

 drawn. From that account I have taken the liberty of copy- 

 ing the following extract. 



" This beautiful little bird appeared to be very tame ; al- 

 though we shot two pairs, those that were swimming about 

 did not take the least notice of the report of the gun ; and 

 they seemed to be much attached to each other, for when one 

 of them flew to a short distance the other directly followed ; 

 and while I held a female that was wounded in my hand, its 

 mate came and fluttered before my face. We were much 

 gratified in watching the motions of these elegant little crea- 

 tures, as they kept swimming about, and were for ever dipping 

 their bills in the water ; and so intent were they upon their 



