578 
THE COMMON J AC ANA. 
ward by the coming of frost. March and October are the months during which they generally 
migrate. Some continue residing in the South. 
The Gray Phalarope {Phaldropus fulicarius) is one of the rare birds, belonging rightly 
to the limits of the Arctic circle, and coming southward in the autumn. 
It is a light and active bird, flying and swimming with great address, and braving the 
raging sea with easy courage. The body of this bird is singularly buoyant, so that the Phala- 
rope rides on the waters like a cork, bidding defiance to the waves, and circling about the 
surface with an ease and rapidity that reminds the observer of the whirligig beetles that urge 
their ceaseless wheels on the surface of our shady streams. It is a bold bird, caring little for 
the presence of human beings, and suffering itself to be approached without displaying fear. 
Moreover, when made prisoner it becomes familiar with its captor in a very short time, and in 
a few hours will eat out of his hand. The general food of the Gray Phalarope consists of 
marine creatures, such as mollusks and little crustaceans, but when it comes to the shore the 
bird will feed on larvae and various insects. While swimming it has a habit of nodding its 
head at each stroke. The flight is said to resemble that of the terns. 
The plumage differs greatly according to the season of year. In the winter, the head, 
back of the neck, and back are dark blackish-brown, and these feathers are surrounded by an 
orange border. There is a white band on the wing, and the front of the neck and lower parts 
of the body are dull red. In the winter, the upper parts of the body are pearly-ash, the 
centres of the feathers being darker than their edges. The white band on the wing is 
retained, and the breast and lower parts are pure white. The bill is brown at the point, 
and orange-red at the base. The Gray Phalarope is but a small bird, its length being 
about eight inches. The Red-necked Phalarope {Phaldropus hypoboreus ) is also an inhabit- 
ant of Europe. 
The Red Phalarope ( Phaldropus fulicarius). The range of habitat of this bird is 
essentially the same as that of the northern. It is particularly a maritime bird, and seldom is 
seen in the interior. It is known as Red Phalarope in America. It is, however, mentioned 
by Ridgway as seen in Illinois and Ohio. Its length is about nine inches, and extent of wing 
fifteen. Authors speak of the other species of Phalarope turning to look at the intruder. 
Wilson says of this species: “I was particularly struck with its peculiar manners. It was 
sitting on the water and dipping its bill in as if feeding, and turning frequently around.” 
The Mexican Jacana ( Parra gymnostoma ) is an occasional visitor in the southwestern 
portions of the United States. The Jacanas are remarkable for the extraordinary development 
of their toes, which are so long and so slender that they seem to have been drawn out like wire, 
and to impede the progress of their owner. These elongated toes are, however, of the greatest 
use, as they enable the bird to walk upon the floating leaves which overspread the surface of 
many rivers, and to pick its food from and between the leaves on which it walks. As the bird 
marches upon the leaves, the long toes dividing the pressure upon several leaves at each step, 
they are slightly sunk below the surface by the weight, so that the bird appears to be really 
walking upon the water. 
The Common Jacana is a native of Southern America, and there other species scattered 
over Africa, Asia, and Australia. Mr. Gould tells us that the Australian species is a good 
diver, but a bad flyer. “Their powers of diving and of remaining under water are equal to 
those of any bird I have ever met with ; on the other hand, the powers of flight are very weak. 
They will, however, mount up fifteen or twenty yards and fly from one end of the lake to the 
other, a distance of half or three-quarters of a mile ; but generally they merely rise above the 
surface of the water and fly off for about a hundred yards. During flight their long legs are 
thrown out horizontally to their full length. While feeding, they utter a slowly -repeated 
‘cluck, cluck.’ The stomach is extremely muscular, and the food consists of aquatic insects 
and some kind of vegetable matter.” 
