The Phalarope

(Variation III)
Spinning Song: Flute and Celesta

(Projects another slide: Audubon plate 215.)

(He doesn't notice that the slide is inverted.)

The Northern Phalarope. Lobipes lobatus, or Web-footed Peep: the little swimming Sandpiper. This beautiful bird has the..

(About to point to the lower right edge of the screen he sees his error.)

...interesting habit of spinning around on the... oops Sorry.

(Hastily corrects the slide.)

The Northern Phalarope. Lobipes lobatus, or Web- footed peep, the little swimming Sandpiper. This beautiful bird has the interesting habit of spinning around on the surface of the water, creating tiny whirlpools in order to stir up the miniature marine life on which it feeds. The female, up here, is the larger and brighter colored reversing the usual roles. It is even thought that the female does the courting. The demure little male builds the nest, incubates the eggs, cares for the young like a mother, while the giddy bright ladies all gather together as though they organized women's clubs.

In common, however, with other birds, it is still the male that sings; although unlike the songster birds, doubt that the Phalarope sings to attract a female.

His voice is soft and mellow but sad; the typical note being a little trump, trump, trump, trump. Uttered in a gentle musica manner. Something like this:

( Goes and seats himself at the piano.)

(Strikes a few arpeggios to test the tuning.)


To You


Stranger, if you passing, meet me,
And desire to speak to me,
Why should you not speak to me?
And why should I not speak to you?


Return to Biographical Text