North Ajierican Birds Eggs. 



109 



223. Northern Phalarope. PhaltiropUK lobntiis. 



Range.— Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the nnrthern parts of the British 

 Provinces. 



This is the smallest of the Phalaropes, being about 

 8 inches long; in summer it has a chestnut band 

 across the breast and on the side of the neck. Its 

 habits and nesting habits vary but little from those 

 of the Red Phalarope, although its distribution is a 

 little more southerly, and it is not as exclusively 

 maritime as the preceding species. It is found on 

 both coasts of the United States, but more common on 

 the Pacific side, during the fall and spring, when 

 going to or returning from its winter quarters in the 

 tropics. Their eggs cannot, with certainty, be dis- 

 tinguished from the preceding species. 



lUreenish 



224. Wilson Phdiarope. Stcgfinopits tricolor. 



Range. — Interior of temperate North America, breeding from the latitude of 

 Iowa, northward, and wintering south of the United States. 



This is the most handsome species of the family, 

 being of a very graceful form, of a grayish and 

 white color, with a broad black stripe through the 

 eye and down the neck, where it fades insensibly 

 into a rich chestnut color. It is an exclusively 

 American species and is rarely found near the 

 coast. It builds its nest generally in a tuft of 

 grass, the nests also being of grass. The eggs are 

 of a brownish or greenish buff color, spotted and 

 blotched with black and brown. Size 1.30 x .90. 

 Data.— Larimore, N. D., May 30, 1897. Nest a shallow depression, scratched in 

 the sand, under a tuft of grass on an island. Collector, T. F. Eastgate. 



[Hrownish buff 



y^^ 



^ 



AVOCETS and STILTS. Family RECURVIROSTRIDAE. 



225. American Avocet. Reciirvrrontra aincrirttiia. 



Range. — Western North America, breeding north to Northwest Territory, 



The Avocet can be known from any 

 other bird V)y its up-curved bill, light 



plumage, webbed feet and large size ^^ i&'^J.ai'-^- . 



I length about 17 inches). These "^^ * .. ^ 



waders are quite numerous in suitable 

 localities throughout the west, con- 

 structing their nests in the grass, bor- 

 dering marsliy places. The nest is 

 simpl}' a lining of grass in a hollow 

 in the ground. They lay three or four 

 eggs of a dark greenish or brownish 

 buff color, boldly marked with brown 

 and black. Size 1.90 x 1., 30. Data.— 

 Rush Lake, Assiniboia. 4 eggs laid 

 in a depression in the sand, lined with 

 dry weeds. Many birds nesting in 

 the colony. 



