84 PROCEEDINGS MANCHESTER INSTITUTE 



65. Fulica americana Gmel. American Coot. 



A rather rare autumnal migrant, occurring in the Connecticut 



vallc}^ and in the lake region of the south-central part of the 



state. 



Dates : September to October 8. 



66. Crymopliilns fulicarius (lyinn.). Red Phala- 



ROPE. 



This species, like the next, is found in migration off the 

 coast well out to sea, but occasionally inland, whither it is prob- 

 ably driven by storm. In May, 1892, great numbers of Red and 

 Northern Phalaropes were observed at various points along the 

 New England coast, and among others at the Isles of Shoals, 

 where, according to Mr. Bradford Torrey ('97, p. 392) thou- 

 sands were observed by Mrs. Celia Thaxter, "in great flocks 

 that wheel and turn, and, flying in long masses over the water, 

 show now dark, now dazzling silver as they careen". These 

 flocks probably included the two species, as was the case else- 

 where. Mrs. Thaxter had noted the birds the year before at 

 the Isles of Shoals. Mr. F. B. Osgood records ('91, p. 9) hav- 

 ing "put up a flock of a dozen or so in the middle of I^ake 

 Umbagog." 



67. Plialaropus lobatus (Linn.). Northern Phaea- 



ROPE. 



An abundant spring and fall migrant offshore, casual inland. 

 Mr. R. I. Brasher ('94) records meeting with " numerous 

 flocks" some twentj^ miles off the New Hampshire coast, on 

 August 9, 1893 ; they disappeared as land was sighted. Mr. 

 W. C. Prime ('89) has twice observed the bird in the Franco- 

 nia Mountains. In the first instance, the single individual was 

 not captured, but was observed at very close range in Septem- 

 ber, about 1884, as it swam on the waters of Profile I^ake, feed- 

 ing on the multitudes of winged ants drowned on the surface. 

 The second instance was on September 22, 1888, when a single 

 bird was knocked over with a short stick on lyonesome Lake 

 (about 3,000 feet altitude). It was quite fearless, and was feed- 

 ing on the seeds of sedges which grew at the margin of tlic lake. 



