Except for a few birds around edges of open bodies of water, the great bulk of red phalaropes was (Aug.
The most recent irruption of Gray Phalaropes was in 1886.
From many points of view the Phalaropes are very interesting birds.
At the nest the old Phalaropes are remarkably tame and confiding, showing little fear of man, but when the young are hatched often trying to delude him away by various deceptive antics.
These phalaropes are very rarely seen in the United States in their breeding plumage; when they come in the Fall, nearly all have changed to their dull winter dress, and they keep this until after they leave us in the Spring.
Phalaropes differ from any other of our birds, in that the female is the larger and brighter plumaged bird, and the duties of incubation are largely or chiefly performed by the male bird.
Like most phalaropes this one was tame and confiding, but whenever I approached within 20 or 25 feet, it would rise and fly on a few yards, giving the whit call.
Slater (1898) writes: Jerdon asserts that the females (of all the phalaropes presumably) leave the care of the nests to the males and lead a club life in separate flocks.
Large size and long, very slender bill should prevent confusion of this with other phalaropes in the field in any plumage.
Much of the interesting behavior of the Wilson phalaropes has been described under different headings above.
It is always the bright-colored female who makes the advances, for the wanton phalaropes have revised nature's order, and the modest male either seeks escape by flight, or else defends himself with determined dabs.
Northern phalaropes are very abundant during August and September off the coasts of New England, but they seldom come near shore, except in severe storms.
The northern phalaropes took an interest in this roiled up water and drew close to dab at the surface and "whirligig" about in their unique way.
Wilson phalarope are often associated with northern phalaropes on migrations, sometimes in considerable flocks, frequenting the temporary ponds made by heavy spring rains on the grassy meadows, rather than the larger ponds and lakes.
During my various seasons spent on the western plains I have frequently seen these phalaropes flying about in trios, consisting of one male and two females, the male always in the lead, as if pursued.
The feeding habits of this and the other phalaropes are almost wholly beneficial.
Now that attention is called to it, we see that our notebooks are full of references to female phalaropes seen in company with two males.
Welch (1922) will illustrate: There was an unusual migration of red phalaropes (Phalaropus fulicarius) this past fall.
In fact, throughout the pairing season I have always found the phalaropes very undemonstrative toward each other, the choice of mates being conducted in a quiet, unobtrusive way, quite unlike the usual manner among birds.
Fifty-three per cent of the food of twenty-eight northern phalaropesfrom one locality consisted of mosquito larvae.
The curious case of the Phalaropesfurnished us with a remarkable example of a reversal of the rôle of the sexes.
All the Phalaropesare good swimmers, and this species, especially, is often found in large flocks off the coast, floating on the surface of the water; they feed largely upon small marine insects.
The above list will hopefully give you a few useful examples demonstrating the appropriate usage of "phalaropes" in a variety of sentences. We hope that you will now be able to make sentences using this word.
