130 



2fEBT8 AND SGOS OF 



American Coot and Nest. (Cheney, del. ) 



822. BED PHALAROPE. Grymophilus fulicarivs (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — North- 

 ern portion Hemisphere, breeding in Arctic regions, migrating south in winter; in 

 North America south to Middle United States, Ohio Valley and Lower California. 



The Coot-footed Tringa, Red or Qray Phalarope, as It is differently called, is 

 distributed in summer throughout the Arctic regions, wandering far south in winter. 

 Breeds in various portions of Norway, Sweden, Finland and up into Lapland; in 

 Siberia, Spitzbergen, Iceland, Greenland and the Arctic coast of North America. 

 Hagerup, in his "Birds of Greenland," states that it is common, but not often seen 

 in the breeding season south of the 68th parallel. Eggs were found from June 3 to 

 June 28. The Phalaropes are curious birds, partaking of the nature of a wader and a 

 swimmer. The three species of this family resemble Sandpipers, but are at once dis- 

 tinguished by the lc;:ate feet like those of the Coot and Grebes. The body is de- 

 pressed and the under-plumage thick like that of a duck. They ride the waves 

 lightly along the coast, and when on the margin of a stream or pool often surprise 

 their associates, the Sandpipers, by swimming out into deep water. The Red Phala- 

 rope appears to be more exclusive maritime than other species of the family. The 

 nest is a slight hollow in the ground, sparsely lined with moss and dry grass. Mr,. 

 Capen quotes a letter from Mr. Boardman in which he says: "Twice I have found 

 the Red Phalarope breeding in Maine." The eggs, Mr. Capen says, are laid the first 

 part of June.* They are greenish or yellowl^h-ash, blotched and spotted with brown 

 of various shades. The eggs of this species cannot, with certainty, be distinguished 

 from those of the following species; in fact, the range of coloration is so varied that 

 they are difficult to describe satisfactorily in a brief manner. They are three or 



• Oology of New Rngland. 



