THE RED PHALAROPRE. 57

plumage of mingled black, red and white
colors. They abound in the northern
seas. Not being easily alarmed, they are
shot without difficulty. When seen swim-
ming in pools, they are constantly dipping
their flat bills into the water as if feeding
on some insects, and while thus engaged
they will allow the sportsmen to come
very near them. The Red Phalarope is
about seven inches in length. The bill
is rather flat, and from this feature these
birds are often called the Flat-billed Pha-
laropes. About the month of September,
a few stragglers visit the United States,
where they have occasionally been shot
in the neighborhood of Boston and
Philadelphia.