PHALAROPES 



(224) Steganopus tricolor Vieill. 



(Gr., web-foot; Lat., three-colored). 



WILSON'S PHALAROPE. Feet 

 lobate-webbed, but not as con- 

 spicuously as those of the preceding 

 two species. Ad. 9 — Plumage in 

 summer as shown. The (f is smaller 

 and paler, the black being replaced 

 by brownish, and the chestnut 

 paler and less extensive. In winter 

 both sexes and young are plain gray 

 above and white below. L., 9.00; 

 W., 5.00; Tar., 1.30; B., 1.25. 

 Nest — A shallow depression lined 

 with a few grasses; three or four 

 cream-colored eggs, heavily blotched 

 with black, 1.30X.90. 



Range — Breeds from northwest- 

 ern Ind., la.. Col. and central Cal. 

 north to Alberta and central Wash. 



the modern suffragette who possibly may have conceived 

 her unwomanly ideas from these very birds. 



A place for the nests having been selected by the male, 

 just a depression in the ground, scantily or not at all lined, 

 the female deposits four heavily blotched eggs, after which 

 she enjoys a period of leisure while the male incubates the 

 eggs. He also takes the greater part of the care of the chicks 

 when they emerge. 



On the water they float as lightly as feathers; they are 

 exceedingly active, always in motion, and each stroke of 

 the feet is accompanied by a graceful nod of the small head. 

 They feed on minute particles from the surface of the water 

 or on shore, along which they run as swiftly and as easily as 

 sandpipers, which are not favored with webbed feet. 



WILSON'S PHALAROPES, which dwell in the interior 

 and western parts of our country, have the lobes of the 

 toes less developed than the two preceding species. Conse- 

 quently they are not so aquatic. They can, however, swim 

 easily if they desire, but they usually content themselves by 



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