ARAMIDiE — THE COURLANS — AEAMUS. 401 



The Courlan, in the North American fauna, has a restricted distribution, being 

 confined exclusively to the peninsula of Florida, and not being known to exist in any 

 other portion of the United States. It occurs in Cuba and Jamaica, and probably in 

 others of the West India Islands, and in portions of Central America. It is not 

 mentioned by Leotaud as occurring in Trinidad. 



In Florida, according to Audubon, it appears to be entirely confined to that section 

 of the peninsula of Florida known as the Everglades, and the swampy borders of the 

 bayous and lagoons issuing therefrom. In one instance it is said to have been j^ro- 

 cured among the Florida Keys by Titian Peale. It was not met with by Audubon 

 on any of those islands, nor did he notice it on any part of the coast between Florida 

 and Texas. Audubon describes its flight as heavy and of short duration, the con- 

 cavity and shortness of the wings, with the nature of the places which it inhabits, 

 rendering it slow to remove from one spot to another on wing, it being found chiefly 

 among tall plants, the roots of which are frequently under water. When it rises of 

 its own accord, it passes through the air at a short distance above the weeds, Avith 

 regular beats of the wings, its neck extended to its full length, and its long legs 

 dangling beneath, until it suddenly drops to the ground. If pursued, few birds excel 

 it in speed. It proceeds by long strides, first in a direct course, and afterward diverg- 

 ing, so as to insure its safety even when chased by the best dogs. When accidentally 

 surprised, it rises obliquely out of its recess, with the neck greatly bent downward ; 

 and although its legs dangle for a Avhile, they are afterward extended behind in the 

 manner of Herons. At such times it is easily shot. If only wounded, it is vain to 

 pursue it. By the great length and expansion of its toes it is enabled, although of 

 considerable size, to walk on the broad leaves of the Nympliem. It can swim with 

 all the buoyancy of the Coot and the Gallinule. 



Its nest is composed of rank weeds matted together and forming a large mass 

 with a depression in the centre. This is placed among the larger tufts of the tallest 

 grasses which grow at short distances from the bayous, some of them influenced by 

 the low tides of the Gulf ; it is fastened to the stems of these plants in the same 

 manner as that of the Clap^ier Eail, and is generally secure from inundation. The 

 eggs are usually six in number, and are large for the bird. The young are hatched 

 out early in May, are covered with a rather coarse black down, and follow their 

 parents soon after their appearance. This Ijird is said to feed, in Florida, chiefly on 

 a large greenish snail which is abundant in the Everglades. While on the wing it 

 utters a note said to be a sort of cackle, like that of the Common Hen ; but when 

 on the ground this cry is much louder, especially during the pairing-season, or when 

 startled l)y the report of a gun. Its flesh is regarded as good eating. The statements 

 as to its ever alighting on trees Audubon was inclined to discredit. 



Dr. Bryant (Froc. Boston Nat. Hist. Soc. VII. p. 11) does not consider Audubon 

 as being quite accurate in regarding the Everglades as the headquarters of this spe- 

 cies. In his visits to that portion situated near Fort Dallas, he did not meet with 

 an individual. He never found it either on the shallow ponds or the wet savannas so 

 numerous in the neighborhood of Indian River. The part of Florida in which he saw 

 it was on the St. John's and the waters connected with it, between Lake Harney and 

 Lake George. He first noticed it at Wikiva, and from there found it in great num- 

 bers as he descended the river, wherever the locality was suited to its habits, until 

 he arrived at Spring Garden Lake, Avhere it was more numerous than at an;y locality 

 previously visited. It was generally seen standing on the edge of the shore, or else 

 on the Nymijlieoi or other broad-leaved plants able to support its weight. He found 

 it very tame and unsuspicious for so large a bird, allowing itself to be approached 



VOL I. — 51 



