272 NEW-YORK FAUNA BIRDS. 



ORDER V. LOBIPEDES. 



Bill robust, straight, compressed ; the upper mandible straight or curved at the 

 point. Feet moderate. Tarsus short. Toes four, all broadly margined with 

 a membrane. Essentially aquatic. 



Obs. This highly artificial order comprises a few water-birds, which can scarcely retain 

 their places among the Grall.e, and form an easy transition to the succeeding order. 



FAMILY PODICIPIDM. 



Bill robust, higher than broad at the base ; the upper mandible straight or curved at the 

 point. Feet moderate, placed far back. Tarsus short, compressed. Hind toe articulated 

 high up and internally on the tarsus. Tail short or entirely wanting. 



GENUS FULICA. Gmelin. 



Bill about the length of the head, robust, curved at the point, much compressed, conical, 

 very high at the base, which spreads out into a naked disk on the forehead. Nostrils 

 medial, pervious, oblong, somewhat oblique. Toes four, with a scolloped membrane. 

 Middle toe longer than the tarsus. Tibia partially naked Second and third quills longest. 

 Tail short, of 12-14 feathers. 



THE AMERICAN COOT. 



Fr/LICA AMERICANA. 

 PLATE CIV. FIG. 233. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Fulica americana, Gmelin. F.floridana, Bartram, p. 2DG. 



F. alra. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 9, p. 61, pi. 73, fig. 1. 



F. americana. Say, Long's Expedition. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol.2, p. 338. Richardson, F. B. A. 



Vol. 2, p. 401. Not. Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 229. Auddbon, Birds of Am. Vol. 5, p. 138, pi. 305. 



Leib, Ac. Sc. Vol. 8, p. 203. Giraod, Birds of Long island, p. 200. 



Characteristics. Dark slate : under tail-coverts and exterior lining of the wings white. 

 Tail of 14 feathers. Adult: head and neck deep black ; membrane 

 on the forehead white. Female, greyish beneath. Young, head and 

 neck brownish black ; beneath paler. Length, 14 -0. 



