Additions to Catalogue of Kansas 
Birds. N.S.Goss 
Phalaropus tricolor ( Vieill.) . Wilson’s Phalarope. — June 
8, 1886, I found three pairs of these birds breeding on marshy 
ground, bordering a slough or pond of Crooked Creek, Meade 
County, and I therefore enter the species as an occasional summer 
resident in Western Kansas ; quite common throughout the State 
during migration. Nest on the ground, usually on hummocks, quite 
deeply excavated, and lined with leaves from the old dead grasses ; 
eggs, three or four — usually four ; ground color, cream to ashy 
drab, rather thickly but irregularly blotched with varying shades 
of brown to black. The female is larger and brighter in color 
than the male, but from limited observations of the birds I am led 
to think certain writers are mistaken in reporting that the females 
arrive first and do all the courting, but leave the work of nest- 
making, incubation, and the rearing of the young to the males. I 
have never been so fortunate as to find either of the birds upon the 
nest ; but certainly, both appear equally watchful and solicitous, 
circling around and croaking as one approaches their nests, or 
near their young (grayish little fellows that leave the nest as soon 
as hatched). The earliest arrival noticed in the State was at 
Neosho Falls, April 29, 1879. In this flock, as in all others seen 
at or about the time of their arrival, the sexes appeared to be 
about equally divided, and I am inclined to think further examin- 
ation will prove the birds to be joint workers in the hatching and 
rearing of their young. With a view to removing all doubts, I 
trust all naturalists who are so fortunate as to be upon their breed- 
ing grounds during the breeding season will carefully note and 
report their observations. 
Auk, 4, Jan. , 1887. p. g. 
Field and Forest.* — With the number for July, this journal begins 
its second volume, considerably enlarged and improved. The articles are 
varied and all valuable contributions to science, and we wish “ Field and 
Forest” the success its merits so well deserve. The single article relating 
to ornithology brings forward quite novel facts in the history of Wilson’s 
Phalarope, which are unique in the history of our birds, and should 
engage further attention. Mr. Kumlien describes the female as being not 
only “richer dressed” than the male, but as leaving the duties of incu- 
bation wholly to the male, who in the breeding season has “ invariably 
the naked and wrinkled belly, characteristic of incubating birds,” while 
the female shows nothing of the kind. He also represents the female as 
making the advances to the male during the pairing-season, and says it is 
not unusual to “ see two females pursuing one male,” instead of the re- 
verse, as is usually the case with other birds. If no mistake has been 
made, these facts are among the most interesting in the annals of Ameri- 
can ornithology. — J. A. A. Bull. N.O.O. I, Sept, 1870. p. 7/ 
