218 
SCOLOPACID.E. 
the blotches at the broad end are very large. These apparently 
over niinnte particulars are worth recording, because a slight 
difference in colouring, or a variation in measurement, more or 
less, is often supposed to be quite sufficient to decide a dispute 
as to species. The peculiar appearance of Phalaropes’ eggs is 
owing to the roundness and distinctness of the markings, which 
for the most part are scattered all over the surface, instead of 
being confined chiefly to one end ; the distinctness of the mark- 
ings is owing to the comparative scarcity of under tints. 
While wading in the swamp, the first indication I had of 
the presence of the birds was the. peculiar note, heard singly 
at first from one individual ; but afterwards it was echoed from 
all sides by numerous voices. I scarcely know to what the 
note can be likened except to the word quilp, uttered rapidly 
several times in succession, and then after a pause again re- 
peated, This seems to be common to both sexes, but as they 
take wing the male utters a sharper cry. Often, when closely 
pursued in the water, they utter a loud chattering noise, at the 
same time swimming almost as fast as one can wade. The 
note of the young birds is nearly similar to that of the old ones, 
and in fine weather it can be heard distinctly when the birds 
are flying so high as to be almost out of sight. Sometimes 
they fly very rajDidly, but when anxious to return to the rushes 
they proceed by means of a number of short jerks with the 
wings, and then drop suddenly. As they fly overhead the 
wing appears to form a sharper angle at the carpal joint than 
I have observed in the Sandpipers. Eed-necked Phalaropes 
seem to entertain but little fear of man, and even the hateful 
gun itself often fails to terrify them. It sometimes happens 
that when large shot is fired from a distance at one sitting in 
the water it escapes untouched, although in the very centre of 
the charge. On such occasions I have seen it, so far from being 
alarmed, rise for the height of two or three feet, and after 
hovering over the disturbed water for a few seconds, alight 
again in tlie very same spot. Their behaviour is sometimes 
quite unaccountable — at least to myself. One day early in 
