Nest.—This is placed in the same localities as are the [Rails], and they have the same retiring habits. Six to fifteen eggs of a grayish color finely specked all over with black or brown (1.80 × 1.30).
RED PHALAROPE.—Family Phalaropodidæ.
222. Phalaropus fulicarius. 8 inches.
These birds are very rarely seen in the United States in their breeding plumage; when they come in the fall nearly all have changed to their winter dress, and they retain this until after they leave us in the spring. In summer the under parts and neck a reddish brown; sides of the head white; top of head blackish; wings bluish gray crossed by a white band. The female is the larger and brighter plumaged bird.
Nest.—A hollow in the ground, lined with a few grasses. Three or four eggs greenish buff color, spotted and blotched with brown or black (1.20 × .80).
Range.—Northern hemisphere, breeding in the far north, and in winter migrating to middle portions of United States on both coasts.
NORTHERN PHALAROPE.
223. Lobipes lobatus. 8 inches.
This is a maritime species that nests in the far north, and appears on the coasts a short time during migration. Like the last they are expert swimmers, and pass most of their time when not breeding upon the surface of the water. They feed upon minute insects secured from beds of floating kelp. Nest and eggs similar to above.