390 ALECTORIDES. 



aud Mr. Gosse call it the Scarlet-frouted (iallinule. It is common in Jamaica, and 

 nests in January, and even earlier. In February Mr. March obtained unfledged young 

 in a pond near 8panishtown. It is said to lay eight eggs, and these are described as 

 having a clayish-white ground splashed sparsely with small spots of sepia-brown. By 

 contact with the dami) nest the ground-color is not infrequently changed to different 

 shades of drab. Major Wedderburn found it breeding and not uncommon in Bermuda, 

 and obtained a number of specimens during his stay. Mr. Hurdis speaks of it as one 

 of the native birds of the Bermudas, rearing its young in pools and swamps, where the 

 dense growth of flags and sedge renders its pursuit almost impossible. It is more 

 common in October than at any other time, appearing all at once in marshes and 

 ponds, where for months previously it had been unknown — owing, probably, to an 

 influx of migratory individuals from the American shore. 



It is said by Leotaud to be quite common in Trinidad, where both in its abode and 

 in its manners it does not appear to be different from the martinica, though a much 

 more social bird than the latter. It hides itself in the rushes or takes to flight at the 

 least danger, sometimes seeking shelter in the branches of the mangrove-trees which 

 overhang the water. It can run among these branches with astonishing rapidity, 

 occasionally extending its wings, as if io preserve its equilibrium or to avoid losing 

 its footing. Its flight, which is almost always accompanied by a harsh Qvy, is heavy 

 and not well sustained, being apparently retarded by its claws, which are always 

 hanging dovrn. Its flesh is eaten, but is not regarded as good. 



Mr. G. C. Taylor met Avith this species at the Lake of Yojoye, and has no doubt 

 that it is common throughout Honduras ; and Mr. Salvin names it as among the birds 

 which frequent the Lake of Duenas, Guatemala — where, however, it is not common. 



It is an occasional visitant along the Atlantic coast, as far to the eastward, at least, 

 as Calais ; and a fcAV occasionally breed in Massachusetts. Mr. George A. Boardman 

 obtained a single specimen of this bird near Calais, Me., in the spring, of 1871. An 

 immature example of this species was shot at Fresh Bond, Mass., Sept. 3, 1868, and 

 two other individuals were seen. The specimen obtained had without doubt been 

 liatched in that locality. On the 9th of October, in the same year, Mr. BreAvster shot 

 another example, and wounded a third in the same place. He also met with an adult 

 bird there on the 3d of June. It is more than probable that straggling pairs of this 

 bird occur in favorable situations in Massachusetts and l)reed there. 



Giraud speaks of this species as a bird seldom observed on Long Island, a few only 

 having been known to occur on its south shore, while one example is recorded as hav- 

 ing been taken on Staten Island. Mr. Giraud refers to information received by letter 

 from Professor Baird to the effect that this bird has been occasionally observed on 

 the Susquehanna River and its tributaries, where it was usually noticed in the vicinity 

 of fresh- water streams and ponds. It appeared to be exceedingly timid, to conceal 

 itself among the rank grass, and, like the Bails, seldom to take wing except when 

 performing its migratory flight. When surprised it runs nimbly, and if hard pressed 

 takes to the water and swims and dives well. Its food consists of worms, insects, 

 and various vegetable productions which grow in loAV wet grounds. It was found 

 abundant by Dr. Bannister on the Parana, among the reeds of the lagoons. 



Mr. llidgway frequently met with it at Sacramento, in the tule sloughs, in company 

 with the Coot, and mingling its own guttural noises with the clucking, boisterous 

 notes of the latter species. In the interior it was not seen, although the Coot was 

 abundant in all the large marshes. According to Dr. Heermann this species is not rare 

 in the marshes in the interior of California, and Dr. Xewberry mentions finding it at 

 San Francisco. Dr. Cooper did not meet with it near the sea-coast. 



