186 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



noticed three birds together on the wing ; and, nearly every time we came upon 

 them in the small lakes of the tundra, the party consisted of two males and one 

 female. Can this species he polyandrous ? " When the breeding place is invaded 

 the birds leave their nests and settle on the adjoining pools, displaying little 

 concern for their safety. As soon as the young are reared the birds of a colony 

 (for many nests are often made within a small area) betake themselves to the 

 sea, and as autumn advances the southern movements are commenced. One 

 brood only is reared in the season. 



Diagnostic characters.— Phalaropus, with the bill tapering from the 

 base to the tip and less than one inch in length. Length, 7 inches. 



