Migration of Phalaropes in Montana. 69 
with a camera, while the much smaller male stood close to her, 
as if he well understood that our intentions were peaceful. 
It was hoped that the Wilson's Phalaropes which fre¬ 
quented our ranch would remain to breed, as they were in a 
secluded spot, where no disturbance reached them; but 
although they seemed well pleased with their surroundings, 
by June 4th all had departed. 
The Wilson's Phalaropes, both when feeding and when 
disturbed and circling on the wing, constantly uttered a low 
croaking, which at close quarters might be compared to the 
much louder note of Sand-hill Cranes, or, at a distance, to 
the faintly-heard barking of a dog. On the other hand, I 
have heard them give a shrill and totally different call of 
indecision or satisfaction on their first arrival, when hovering 
above a pool. 
Both species gave the impression of extraordinary activity 
as they fed greedily on a species of gnat which swarmed 
close to the surface of the water. To catch these gnats they 
swam about with incredible swiftness, moving their necks 
from side to side, or backward and forward, incessantly. 
In every flock of Wilson's Phalaropes the females greatly 
outnumbered the males, and to say that the latter were less 
richly coloured hardly expresses the difference between them. 
By the side of the gay-plumaged females the males appeared 
insignificant dark grey birds, with white underparts; and 
only on a very close inspection could the faint chestnut wash 
on the neck and the indistinct white stripe of the nape be 
detected. It can hardly be supposed that all of the great 
number examined through binoculars at close range were 
immature examples. 
Among males of P. hyperboreus both young and adult 
individuals were noticed, several of the latter approximating 
in some degree to the more gaily-dressed females. 
The stomachs of the Phalaropes examined contained minute 
stones, grass, and the black gnats above alluded to, mashed 
to a pulp. The eggs in the ovaries of the females were 
extremely small, not much larger than pin-heads; in only 
one was there an egg the size of a pea. 
In the Bed-necked Phalaropes the bill was black, the 
