GREY PHALAROPE.

Phalaropus platyrhynchus, Temm.
Le Phalarope platyrhynque.

Tus bird can ne longer oe ranked among the rarities of our British catalogue, from its frequent occurrence
and the many instances of its capture of late years in this country, particularly in its winter plumage, in which
state it is known by the name of Grey Phalarope ;—a mode of nomenclature which, referring to one state only,
we consider by i maces appropriate to birds that undergo various periodical changes of plumage. Indeed,
were it not for adding to the list of synonyms, already too numerous, we should have ventured to designate
the present species “the Broad-beaked Phalarope,” in order to distinguish it from its congeners, from which
it differs so much in this single character ; we retain, however, the name of Grey Phalarope, as it is generally
used by British Ornithologists.

The native habitat of this species is well known to be the regions extending within the limits of the Arctic
circle, where it takes up its summer abode, inigrating as the severity of winter comes on to more temperate
climes, and dispersing singly or in pairs throughout most of the countries of Europe, especially the British
Islands ; nor is it less abundant in many parts of Asia, as well'as of America, from the northern towards the
intertropical regions. Although the powers of wing, which enable the Phalaropes to make extensive migrations,
are very great, still we do not look for their periodical visits with that degree of certainty and regularity
which characterizes the migrations of birds in general. The places, moreover, which it not uncommonly
chooses for residence during its sojourn with us, are such as would possess for it, according to our ideas, but
little attraction ; thus, for instance, it will often continue for weeks together, if unmolested, about a farm-yard
pond or mere puddle, manifesting a familiar and unsuspecting disposition, and allowing itself to be approached
with freedom ; it does not, however, appear to confine itself much longer to one spot, but after remaining at
a certain place from one to three or four weeks, suddenly departs, if on the approach of spring, towards the
every European country in fact appears to be equally visited,

 

north, and in autumn towards the south ;
although at uncertain and often long intervals.

Like the other species, it is an admirable swimmer, taking its food on the surface of the water with the
utmost agility and address ; indeed it appears to seek its nourishment there alone, and may be watched, while
assiduously engaged in this occupation, displaying a thousand graceful attitudes and manceuvres.

Though usually seen in England in its grey or winter livery, it sometimes occurs in an intermediate state
during the progress of change, and occasionally, though very rarely, in its red or summer plumage. Our most
frequent visitors of this species are young birds of the year, which make their appearance during autumn, and
are then for the first time putting forth the delicate grey feathers of the back, which they carry through the
winter.

We transcribe from the published account of these birds by Captain Edward Sabine, some particulars of
the difference in the size of the sexes, and of their plumage, which had been previously unnoticed. ‘“ Average
length of males 7 inches 6 lines ; extent 16 inches 2 lines; weight 12 ounce. Females 8 inches 4 lines ; extent
17 inches ; weight 2 ounces. The breeding plumage of the male corresponds minutely with the description

which Temminck has assigned to both sexes : the female has the forehead, crown and hind head a uniform
nich passes through the eye is a pure

deep sooty black, without intermixture of orange or red: the band wl
1 front of the eye ;

white, and is larger and better defined than in the male, including more space above and i
edominates in the back and scapulars, the orange bordering of the feathers being smaller and
ale ; the under plumage is of a deeper and richer brick-red colour, and is unmixed
longer portion of the season ; the female bird attains her perfect plumage
an the male, which is also the case with several other of the Northern

the black pr
much lighter than in the m
with white feathers for a much
earlier in the year, and retains it longer th
birds.”

Few birds differ so much in the winter a
being from a strong reddish brown to a delicate silver grey.

The nest is unknown, or, at least as far as we are acquainted,
, and eleven lines across, of a greenish stone colour,

nd summer states of their plumage as the present, the transition

is undescribed ; the eggs are one inch two

é scked with black.
lines and a half long spotted and specked with blac

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fe

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