228 Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 



78. Gallinula galeata, Bonaparte. — Florida Gallimde. — A veiy 

 common species, breeding abundantly in tlie more open portions of the 

 marsh. The nests are situated amongst the " saw grass," and con- 

 structed of its dried blades. Their height varies, some almost resting 

 on the water, while others are placed a foot or more above it and have 

 an incline eight or ten inches in width, made of dried grass, extend 

 ing from the nest to the water's edge, which makes them a conspicuous 

 object where the surrounding vegetation is not too dense. Tlie dozen 

 or so sets of eggs taken were in various stages of incubation, and a 

 few young were observed following their parents. Tlie young, when a 

 day or two old, are about the size of a newl}'- hatched domestic chicken, 

 and when found in the open water are easily captured; they present a 

 curious sight paddling for dear life, with their bright red and orange 

 bills standing out in strong contrast with their sooty-black, down-cov- 

 ered bodies. 



79. FuLiCA AMERICANA, Gmcliu. — Coot; Mud Hen.— A few only ob- 

 served, although we were informed that they are numbered by 

 thousands in the early fall. A nest containing two fresh eggs on June 

 29th, was situated about six inches above the water, and constructed of 

 the same material (dried saw-grass) as the Gallinule nests, but was 

 rather flatter and considerably larger. 



Order Lamellirostres: Geese, Ducks, etc. 

 Famih" Anatid^: Swan, Geese and Ducks. 



80. Branta canadensis. Gray. — Common Wild Goose; Canada 

 Goose. — Mr. Porter informs me that individuals of this species are 

 frequentl}^ seen n the marsh in summer, having probably been crippled 

 during the shooting season and thereb}^ prevented from migrating. 



81. Anas boschas, Linnseus. — llallard Duck. — Breeds. (Porter.) 



82. Querquedula discors, Stephens. — Blue-winged Teal. — Breeds; 

 eggs taken in June. (Porter.) 



83. FuLiGULA affinis, E3^ton. — Lesser Scaup Duck. — Small flocks 

 observed daih' during our stay. One individual, in a helpless condi- 

 tion, floated np to the dock, and was brought ashore by. a retriever 

 very gentl}', but died in a few hours, although no marks of shot or vio- 

 lence were discoverable on careful search post-mortem. Its stomach 

 contained a few ants and other insects, and some young shells of a 

 species of Sphmrium. 



84. FuLiGULA FERiNA AMERICANA, Coucs. — Red-hcaded Duck; 

 American Pochard. — One specimen, a male, taken June 28, 1879, by 

 Mr. Porter. 



