BREWSTER : BIRDS OF THE CAPE REGION, LOWER CALIFORNIA. 57 



tober 18. It was usually seen in beds of tall reeds and cat-o'-nine tails growing 

 about the margins of the lagoon, but on one occasion (September 20), when an 

 exceiitionally high tide had broken over the beach and raised the water several 

 feet al)ove its usual level, the birds were driven from their favorite haunts 

 and forced to seek shelter in a neighboring wheat field, where many were 

 flushed and killed. 



The Sora was seen by Mr. Anthony "in spring along the coast north of lat. 

 31^ " (Bryant). It is said to be common in California in winter, and accord- 

 ing to Mr. Grinnell is found in Los Angeles county at all seasons, nesting 

 in May among marsh grass or tules in swampy places.^ Its migrations extend 

 to northern South America. 



Gallinula galeata (Light.). 

 Florida Gallinule. 



It is singular that up to this time no one has reported the Florida Gallinule 

 from Lower California, for Mr. Frazar found it both at San Jose del Cabo and 

 Santiago. At the former place the first birds, three in number, were seen on 

 September 13. A few days later they became abundant, remaining so up to 

 October 10, after which their numbers diminished rapidly until, by the end of 

 the month, all had apparently disappeared, the last being seen on the 28th. 

 They fref[uented both the river and the lagoon at its mouth, but during the 

 high tide already mentioned a good many, in company with Carolina Rails, 

 souirht shelter in a wheat field. At Santiago several were observed as late as 

 November 15 in the beds of tule about the lagoon, where it is possible they 

 were intending to winter, and where a few may breed, also, although neither 

 surmise is warranted by any present evidence. 



The Florida Gallinule is found from California to Chili on or near the Pacific 

 coast, and it probably breeds (more or less locally) throughout this extended 

 range. 



Fulica americana Gmel. 



Americax Coot. 



Fulica americana Baird, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pliila., 1859, 301, 306 (Cape St. 

 Lucas). Belding, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., V. 1883, 545 (Cape Region). 

 Bryant, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., 2d ser., II. 1889, 271 (Cape Kegion). 



Mr. Belding includes the Coot in liis li.st of birds seen in the winter and 

 spring of 1881-82, but inentions no special localities nor dates. Mr. Frazar 

 found it only at San Jose del Cabo and Santiago. At the former place it ar- 

 rived on September 10, and was very numerous during October and up to the 

 date of Mr. Frazar's departure, November 13. At Santiago a large number 



1 Pub. II. Pasadena Acad. Sci., 1898, 15. 



