III. NIDIFICATION OF BIRDS ON THE ST. CLAIR 



FLATS. 



REV. J. H. LANGILLE. 



An idea of the extent of St. Clair Flats may be formed from 

 the length of the several channels which radiate from the mouth 

 of St. Clair River to the distance of some seven or eight miles. 

 These are bordered with flooded marshes, which sustain a heavy 

 growth of sedges, cat-tails, rushes, and coarse marsh-grass. Some 

 of these marshes are dry in summer, and there are several islands 

 with trees and arable land; the whole being cut up and inter- 

 sected by numerous small channels. Here, in the marsh-grass, 

 and for the most part over the water, is the breeding place of a 

 considerable number of our water-fowls. 



The most characteristic bird of the place in the breeding sea- 

 son is the coot, Fulica americana ; the nests of which abound in 

 nearly all parts of the flooded marshes, especially in those parts 

 extending out into the lake. In every direction the birds maybe 

 seen swimming, wading and flying ; while their loud cooing and 

 clattering noise is almost incessant night and day. These birds 

 are quite shy about leaving the nest. Though the latter are gen- 

 erally open to view for some distance among the broken-down 

 sedges and cat-tails, the birds manage to leave them before they 

 are seen, running on the water with flapping of the wings for 

 some distance, then either taking flight for a short distance, or 

 swimming at ease. Often while diverting itself on the water, and 

 always when rising, this species makes a loud splashing noise, 

 reminding one of its Western common name, " the splatterer." 



The nests on the flats are invariably floating, or raft-like struc- 

 tures, generally built over water from eight to eighteen inches 

 deep. They are mostly built of the dried leaves of the cat-tails, 



