﻿4 BULLETIN 1359^ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



the control of injurious insects. The flies are not known to be of 

 economic importance, and the crustaceans have value merely as 

 food for other animals. From this review it may be seen that the 

 red phalarope is entirely harmless and should be protected when it 

 chances to occur within our boundaries. 



NORTHERN PHALAROPE 



Lobipes lobatus 



Like the preceding species, the northern phalarope (PI. I) nests in 

 the Northern Hemisphere in both Old and New Worlds. In North 

 America the breeding range extends from the Near Islands in the 

 Aleutian Chain across to eastern Greenland, and from MelviUe Island 

 south to the delta of the Yukon and to Rupert House, Ontario. The 

 place and extent of the winter home of the northern phalarope at 



E resent is uncertain, though it is supposed that at this season the 

 irds remain at sea in the Southern Hemisphere. They have been 

 noted casually on the coasts of Patagonia and Peru, but on the whole 

 are unknown after they leave our shores. In migration they occur 

 casually throughout our country save in the States bordering the 

 Gulf of Mexico, but are more abundant near the eastern and western 

 coasts, and great numbers pass through the interior by way of Great 

 Salt Lake, LTtah. 



In migration these phalaropes often gather in great flocks where 

 food is abundant. On reaching their breeding grounds in the north, 

 they pair off to nest in marshy spots or near small fresh-water lakes 

 in the tundras. On Kiska Island in the Aleutians in June, the writer 

 found them breeding about innumerable shallow lakes in the small 

 valleys that lead back from the beaches of the deeper bays. The 

 eggs, four in number, were placed in shallow nests concealed in grass 

 8 or 10 inches high. Adults were greatly excited by intruders and 

 flew swiftly about caUing sharply. Many fed in the surf, often riding 

 the waves until these were about to break, when to avoid being dashed 

 on the sand they rose hghtly in the air and flew out a few feet to a 

 point of safety. Both sexes go through curious gyrations on the 

 water surface, whirling rapidly about and nodding the head. 



Domestic cares after the eggs have been deposited devolve entirely 

 upon the willing males, and many of the females depart southward 

 at once, to be followed by males and young when the latter are able 

 to fly. The northward migration in Utah does not end until the 

 middle of June, and by the tirst week in July females begin to return 

 from the north. The southward movement continues from July 

 through the month of October. 



Northern phalaropes swim as readily as ducks and secure much of 

 their food from the water. Little flocks alight on the surface, and 

 the individuals, separating 12 or 15 feet from one another, begin to 

 quarter back and forth in search of food. They swim rapidly with 

 quickly nodding heads, jabbing constantly at any morsels that appear 

 within reach. When thus occupied the course pursued by individual 

 birds is most erratic, as they turn constantly from side to side or 

 whirl quickly about as food appears within reach behind them or at 

 one side. Occasionally they run about on mud bars or beaches like 

 other sandpipers, or when tilled to repletion gather in the shallows, 

 where they bathe or stand about resting, caring for their feathers, or 

 sleeping. 



