SCOLOPACIDJE. 317 



Phalaropes examined by Mr. J. Gatcombe, in October 1886, consisted of the bodies 

 and wings of sumil brown beetles, one valve of a very thin and minute marine shell, 

 and many fragments of decayed seaweeds (Zool. 1887, p. 877). 



In October 1831, great numbers uf Phalaropes accompanied a large dead Rorqual 

 floating in the Channel, whicli was brought into Plymouth Sou)id (E. M., i\lag. ;Nat. 

 Hist. 1837. p. 3-2-2). 



Great flights visited tlie south coast of Devon iu October 1845 and October 184G. 

 In the latter year we had the pleasure of watching a flock of seven whicli remained for 

 several days swimming about in our marsh at Newport, near Topsham, which was flooded 

 at the time. They swam briskly about, always cliaugiug direction together exactly at 

 the same moment, and looked like miniature ducks. They were all shot, and several 

 of them are in the A. M. M. The late Dr. W. R. Scott relates that several were 

 killed on the quay at Exeter in October 1845. Large flocks visited the south coast at 

 that time, and they appeared to have had a long flight and to be quite worn out, so 

 much so, that many were caught with the hand, others knocked down with sticks, and 

 large numbers were shot as they sat till very closely approached (Zool. 1849, p. 2384). 

 In September 1860, large numbers visited the county, being most numerous on the 

 south coast. Two were obtained as far inland as Tiverton. In September, October, and 

 November 1870, large flocks appeared on both the north and south coast (Zool. 1871, 

 pp. 2423, 2442), and this bird was again numerous in Sejitemher and October 1875 

 (Zool. 1875, pp. 4717, 4730) and October IS'Jl. An interesting account of the last 

 visitation to the S.W. coast of the county was communicated by Mr. Edmund Elliot 

 to the ' Field,' October 17th, 18'Jl. Hundreds visited Torbay (W. E.). We saw a few 

 at Exmouth between the 14th and 18th October, and ten were shot there. They wei-e 

 very tame, and allowed us to approach quite close to them as they swam about 

 amongst the rocks, incessantly dipping their bills in the water. 



Iu Xorth Devon the Rev. Marcus Rickards saw and procured many 

 specimens of the Grej' Phalarope in different years on the Northam Bur- 

 rows. Some were met with swimming on ponds in the middle of the 

 Uurrows, and one was noticed on a little stream in company with some 

 ducks, A large Hock occurred on these Etirrows in 186G, and other flocks 

 were seen after the great gales of October 1891. Grey Phalaropes run 

 upon the ground as lightly and gracefully as the Common Sandpiper. 



The records of the occurrences of the Gre)' Phalarope in Devon are 

 very numerous. We find that some were obtained in each of the follow- 

 ing years, those marked with an asterisk being remarkable for large 

 flights, viz. :— 1821, -28, -61*, -40, -44, -45*, -46*, -49, -53, -o6, -57, 

 -06*, -67, -68, -69, -7U*, -72, -73, -74, -75*, -76, -77, -SO, -81, -82, 

 -86, -89, -91*. 



The Grey Phalarope spends the summer in the far Xortli, nesting 

 commonly in Greenland and other circumpolar regions. 



Mr. J. H. Gurney says that " observations show that the Xorth Sea is 

 not in the line of route which the main body of Grey Phalaropes take iu 

 autumn, and this, it may bo, is because they come from Greenland " 

 ('Field,' Nov. 14th, 1891). The greater portion probably pass south to 

 the west of Ireland. This accounts for their being so much more nume- 

 rous in the S.W. counties after south(!rly galea than they arc on the east 

 coast of England ; and on the return migration in spring the)' i)r()l)ably 

 f(dlow the same line, hence tliey are not often met with at that neason on 

 our bliores, as they keep far out at sea. Some few find their way l)y the 

 Rhine and I'lione valleys to the Mediterranean, and even to the Aral)ian 

 sea, stragglers reaching Bombay. One specimen was obtained )iy -Mr. K, 



