135 



■which become larger and more numerous at one end. Minute shell 

 markings in the form of dots are also visible. Owing to the small 

 diameter of the nest the eggs were in two layers. 



Genus Gallinula Briss. 

 250. G. galeata Licht. Floiuda Gallinulk. Abundant sum- 

 mer resident everywhere in marshes and the larger prairie sloughs. 

 Arrives the last of April or the lirst of May. Generally has a full 

 set of eggs, numbering from seven to twelve, the first week of June. 

 Its nests are placed wherever fancy dictates; on low ridges a rod 

 or more from the water; in perfectly bare situations on tlie borders 

 of marshes, or in the midst of the bulrushes or wilil rice growing in 

 several feet of water. The material used varies with the situation, 

 from tine grasses to the coarsest rushes and fragments of wild rice 

 stalks. In the latter case the nest often floats in the water and is 

 held in place by the surrounding reeds. The young possess the usual 

 black down and disproportionate feet of members of this family at au 

 early age, but the basal two-thirds of the bill is bright red, the tip 

 only being yellow. I have placed eggs under a hen, but the young, 

 unless removed as soon as hatched, would scramble out and manage 

 to get away. At this age they have a clear metallic peep, quite unlike 

 that of a chicken. 



Genus Porphyrio Temm. 



251. P. martinica {Linn.). Puiu'lk Gallinulk. Very rare visi- 

 tant. A male specimen was taken in May, 186G, by Mr. C. N. Holden, 

 Jr., near Chicago, and Dr. Hoj' informs me of its capture at Racine. 



Genus Pulica Linn. 



252. P. anierieana (hncl. Coot. Exceedingly abundant. Sum- 

 mer resident in large marshes, and it is far from rare in any marshy 

 siluation. Arrives the last of April and remains until the last of 

 November. Nests at the same time as the Florida galliuule, but 

 shows a greater preference for reed patches in which its nests are 

 usually located, often in from two to four feet of water. The nests 

 are generally larger than those of gallinules, and rarely composed of 

 other material than the dry stalks of reeds. Dr. Cones" descriplion 

 of the nidification of this species will answer for most of tiie cases 

 I liave observed, and 1 have examined a large number of nests. (Sec 

 "IJirds of the North-west," p._ 542.) As winter approaches, and the 

 marshes and shallow pools become covered with ice, these birds con- 

 gregate in immense flocks on the rivers and small lakes, and remain 

 until the cold weather closes the streams. 



