PHALAROPODID.E — THE PH ALA ROPES — LOBIPES. 
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After some little difficulty, we were fortunate in finding tlieir nests, which were 
placed in small tufts of grass, and were about the size of that of a Titlark, but much 
deeper. They had but just commenced laying, June 13, as we found but one or two 
eggs in a nest, and their number is four.” 
Nilsson also mentions this bird visiting Sweden and Norway, and states that a few 
remain to breed on the margins of fresh-water lakes ; but the greater part go farther 
north. Mr. W. Proctor visited Iceland in the summer of 1837, and states that he 
found it breeding on little hillocks in the marshes. The young birds left the nest as 
soon as hatched. On the approach of danger, the old bird runs among the aquatic 
plants, spreading her wings and counterfeiting lameness. As soon as she has suc- 
ceeded in attracting the enemy away from her young, she soars upward to a great 
height, then descends very rapidly, making a noise with her wings, the motions of 
which in her upward flight are also somewhat remarkable. On returning to the 
ground she calls her young together with a peculiar cry, and gathers them under her 
after the manner of the domestic Hen. 
This Phalarope is found on the Pacific coast at Vancouver Island, where Mr. R. 
Browne mentions its presence. Hr. Cooper states that in winter it migrates south of 
California, not being common beyond Monterey. He procured a single specimen 
south of San Diego, which had been killed, May 1, by flying against the lighthouse. 
At Monterey he noticed its arrival, apparently from the mountains, about September 
15 ; and he saw this bird off San Francisco Bay in June, when it may have been 
nesting among the Coast Ranges. 
This species is also mentioned by Reinhardt as occurring in Greenland ; and Captain 
Blakiston received specimens of it from Hudson’s Bay and Great Bear Lake ; Mr. Ross 
also found it on the Mackenzie River, although it is not common there. 
Major Wedderburn records the taking of two specimens of this bird in Ber- 
muda: one was found dead, March 21, 1848, supposed to have been killed by flying 
against the iron lighthouse during the night ; the other was found the following day, 
swimming in Hamilton Water, and was killed with a stick. Mr. Hurdis mentions a 
third, taken March 8, 1852 ; this one he killed with his walking-stick. 
Mr. Boardman informs me that this species is found about Passamaquoddy Bay all 
the summer, and that it undoubtedly breeds there in the spring and fall. It is gen- 
erally known as the “ Sea Goose,” from the peculiar manner in which it sits on the 
water. Its food appears to be Crustacea and marine insects. 
Mr. Harold Herrick also states that these birds may be seen in large numbers all 
the summer on the “ Riplings,” about eight miles from Grand Menan, where they 
congregate to feed on the shrimps and animalculae that drift in the eddies made by the 
advancing and receding tide. They do not approach the shore except when driven 
in by storms, but are represented as being very tame. 
Richardson states that they breed on all the Arctic coasts of America, and only 
resort to the shores of Hudson’s Bay in the autumn, frequenting shady ponds, in which 
they swim with ease and elegance, their attitudes resembling those of the Common 
Teal ; and like that bird continually dipping their bills into the water, picking up 
the small insects which constitute their food. 
Giraud, in his “ Birds of Long Island,” mentions having seen several specimens of 
this bird that had been procured on the coast of New Jersey, where it is regarded 
as very rare, as it is also on Long Island. He met with one on the inner beach the 
latter part of June, in company with a party of small Sandpipers. It was very 
gentle, and showed no disposition to take wing, even when lie came quite near. This 
proved to be a young male of that year, and its stomach contained particles of shells 
