RALLID^ — THE GALLINULES — GALLINULA. 391 



Mr. Audubon states that when he was at Spring Garden Springs, in East Florida, 

 in tlie early part of January, this Gallinule was seen in great numbers on every bayou 

 leading toward the waters of the St. John. He describes the nest as formed with more 

 labor than art, and as composed of a quantity of withered rushes and plants woven 

 into a circular form. It was frequently from two to three inches thick in the centre, 

 and surrounded by an edge or brim four or live inches high. If not disturbed this 

 bird will raise at least two broods in a season, using the same nest, which each time 

 is refitted. In Lower Louisiana the nest is usually five or six feet from the water, 

 along the bayous and ponds, among the rank weeds which are so abundant there. 

 The number of eggs seldom exceeds nine. When the Gallinule leaves its nest it 

 covers the eggs, to protect them from its numerous enemies. Both sexes incubate, and 

 the young follow the parent as soon as they are hatched, the mother being assiduous 

 in her attentions to them. Their food consists of grass-seeds, water insects, worms, 

 and snails, together with which they swallow a good deal of fine gravel. They run 

 over the broad leaves of the lilies as if on land, and can dive readily when neces- 

 sary. On land this bird walks like a Chicken, and may frequently be seen searching 

 for worms and insects among the grass, which it nips in the manner of the common 

 Domestic Fowl. 



According to Mr. Gosse, the Gallinule in Jamaica is known as the Coot, while 

 the latter is called the Water-hen. He found it scarcely distinguishable from the 

 European Moor-hen, either in appearance or manner, delighting in water where there 

 is cover, sometimes a swiftly running stream, but usually large ponds where tall thick 

 bulrushes and masses of the ginger fern surround the banks. In such a piece of 

 water, early in the morning, or if the place is unfrequented, at any hour of the day, 

 the Gallinule may be seen playing on the surface, and uttering a loud cluck at short 

 intervals as it swims to and fro. When alarmed each bird sounds the note, but in a 

 higher key, and the whole flock seeks concealment. There they continue to call to 

 one another, and if much pressed conceal themselves by keeping under water, holding 

 on the roots of the rushes. If the observer remains silent and concealed, in about 

 half an hour the cluck is again raised, and the bird begins cautiously to re-emerge, 

 and resumes its occupation at the margin of the reeds. One of this species which had 

 been slightly wounded was fastened Avith a cord attached to one foot, and allowed to 

 swim in the pools of Bluefield's Kiver. Its first impulse was to dive, and then to swim 

 along about a foot beneath the surface, striking out both with the feet and with the ex- 

 panded wings. When thus immersed in the water, its whole plumage was coated with 

 a pellicle of air, which had a singular effect. When it swam at the surface only the 

 head, neck, and a part of the back was exposed. When permitted to do so, it would 

 creep in among the weeds and grass at the margin and remain motionless. It was 

 unwilling to walk on boards, and when on the turf, was only capable of maintaining 

 a walking posture as long as its motion was rapid. It is said to be abundant in. the 

 neighborhood of Hamilton, on Lake Ontario, where — as Mr. Mcllwraith states — it is 

 only less common than the Coot. It breeds abundantly on the Canadian side opposite 

 Detroit, from which locality I have received its eggs. It breeds commonly in the 

 Calumet marshes in Northern Illinois, on Lake Michigan, and is also abundant in the 

 vicinity of Lake Koskonong in Southern Wisconsin. 



Mr. B. F. Goss informs me that tliis bird breeds abundantly in the shallow muddy 

 flats which border the lakes and streams of Wisconsin, and which, being covered with 

 a thick growth of flags, rushes, and aquatic grasses, furnish a suitable home to the 

 Gallinules. There they build their nests, rear their young, and spend the entire sea- 

 son. The nest is not very elaborately constructed, being raised but a few inches 



