Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Phalarope \Phal"a*rope\, n. [Gr. ? having a patch of white + ?,
   ?, a foot: cf. F. phalarope.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any species of {Phalaropus} and allied genera of small wading
   birds ({Grall[ae]}), having lobate toes. They are often seen
   far from land, swimming in large flocks. Called also {sea
   goose}.

Source : WordNet®

phalarope
     n : small sandpiper-like shorebird having lobate toes and being
         good swimmers; breed in the arctic and winter in the
         tropics