s 
BULLETIN 1359, IT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps) 
Syrphoctonus sp 
Alloxysta sp.. 
Zelotypa sp 
Camponotinae 
Unidentified ants 
Bethylidse 
Crabronidae 
Other hymenopterans. 
Aeaneida (spiders) 
Spiders. 
Animal Matter— Continued 
Acaeina (mites) 
Hydrachnidae (water-mites) . 
Unidentified mite 
Table 1. — Material identified in the food of the northern phalarope as determined 
from the examination of loo stomachs, and the number of stomachs in which 
each item was found — Continued 
Animal Matter — Continued 
Diptera (flies)— Continued 
Chironomidae (larvae)... 
Chironomidse (pupae) 
Other Chironomidae (gnats) 
Aedes (Heteronycha) spencerii (larvae) 
Other Culicidae (mosquitoes) (larvae) 
Stratiomyiidae (soldier flies) (larvae) 
Dolichopodidae (long-footed flies).. 
Syrphidae (flower flies) (larvae). 
Leria leucostoma 
Ephydra gracilis (adults and pupae) 
Ephydra hians (larvae) 
Ephydra sp. (adults) 
Ephydra sp. (larvae and pupae) 
Other Ephydridae (alkali flies) 
Unidentified dipterous larvae and pupae... 
Other dipterans 
Mollusca (snails) 
Physa gyrina 
Planorbis trivolvis 
Littorina sitchana 
Other gastropods... 
Pisces (fishes) 
Unidentified fish . 
Vegetable Matter— Seeds 
Ruppia occidentalis (widgeon grass) 
Potamogeton pectinatus (sago pondweed) . 
Panicum sp. (switch-grass) 
Distichlis spicata (salt grass) 
Cyperus sp. (nut-grass). 
Scirpus paludosus (bayonet-grass) 
Scirpus sp. (bulrush) 
Carex sp. (sedge). 
Unidentified Cyperaceae (sedges) 
Rumex crispus (curled dock) 
Rumexsp. (dock) 
Castalia sp. (waterlily) 
Unidentified legume (beans and peas) 
Euphorbiaceee (spurges) 
Malvaceae (mallows) 
Menyanthes trifoliata (bog bean) 
Unidentified seeds..- , 
Vegetable rubbish 
10 
WILSON PHALAROPE 
Steganopus tricolor 
The Wilson phalarope (PL II), unlike the other two phalaropes, 
is limited in its range to the Western Hemisphere. The species 
breeds in the northern part of the United States and southern 
Canada, from Indiana, Colorado, and eastern California north to 
central Alberta and Lake Winnipeg. It is more inland in distribu- 
tion than other species o f this family-. In the winter season it is 
found in southern South America in Chile and Argentina, and ranges 
south to the Falkland Islands. In spring it reaches this country- 
late in April and is on its breeding grounds early in May. The 
return southward takes place in August, and by September the birds 
have departed. 
For a summer home the Wilson phalarope chooses open grassy 
marshes surrounding shallow pools and lakelets. The birds may 
arrive in flocks but soon separate into pairs that form little colonies 
in the marshes. For a few days all is animation about their chosen 
homes, as ardent, brilliantly plumaged females pursue coy, plainly 
colored males on the wing or across the water. Later, when the eggs 
have been deposited, the birds are more retiring, so that it is possible 
to traverse the channels leading through the breeding colonies without 
suspecting that phalaropes are concealed close at hand. On walking 
out through the shallow water one or two males may be seen to 
appear and rest on the water near by, or circle restlessly about 
uttering soft honking calls. For a week or so the females accompany 
them and share their anxiety, but later these emancipated wives 
desert their husbands, band together, and drift away to join others 
