The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Phalarope \Phal"a*rope\, n. [Gr. falaro`s having a patch of
   white + poy`s, podo`s, a foot: cf. F. phalarope.] (Zool.)
   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.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

phalarope
    n 1: small sandpiper-like shorebird having lobate toes and being
         good swimmers; breed in the Arctic and winter in the
         tropics