THE HIKhS OF WISCONSIN. 
41 
migrations and is otten found in cities and about the out- 
buildings of farms a long distance from water. Known to 
most of our gunners as the "mud-hen" or "pull-do" (1). 
ORDER LIMICOL/E: SHORE BIRDS. 
FAMILY PHALAROPODID/E: PHALAROPES. 
Crjinophilus fulicarius (Linn.) RED PH ALA ROPE. 
Small flocks may be met on Lake Michigan and Lake 
Superior in autumn, and occasionally straggling individuals 
wander to the larger inland lakes. Four specimens, one adult 
female and three young of the year were taken on Lake Kosh- 
konong September 3, 1891. We have but a single state 
record for the early part of the season, a solitary female killed 
by Thure Kumlien on Lake Koshkonong June 4, 1877. This 
bird was only just beginning to show the red summer plumage 
and there was nothing to indicate that it would have bred that 
season. We have seen flocks of waders on Lake Superior in 
October that were no doubt this species, but stormy weather 
and distance prevented positive identification. We know of 
no other wader, however, except the next, that would light 
on the icy waters of Lake Superior many miles from land in 
late autumn. Our acquaintance with this species in the arctic 
regions makes us feel sure of the identification ; and Dr. Hoy 
notes it from off Racine in November, 1847. 
Phalaropns lobatus (Linn.). NORTHERN PH ALA ROPE. 
Much more common than the red phalarope. Noted on 
Lake Michigan and Lake Superior in September and October, 
and a regular spring and fall migrant on Lake Koshkonong, 
though more often taken in fall than spring. Frequently taken 
on Lake Koshkonong in August, and once as early as August 
3 (1873). Often found in the open water of the larger lakes 
swimming with the coots far from shore. Birds in breeding 
plumage are rare in Wisconsin ; even such as are procured in 
May and June are still principally in the winter dress. Twenty- 
five years ago it was no uncommon occurrence to have a flock 
of half a dozen or more light among the duck hunters' decoys 
1. A corruption of the French panic d'ean (water hen), as the bird is 
called in Louisiana. Trumbull. Names and Portraits of Birds," New 
York, 1888, p. 117. 
