MUD-HEN 313 



plumage became thoroughly soaked, he proceeded to dress it, running each 

 feather separately through his bill. This elaborate toilet occupied a consider- 

 able time, often lasting as long as fifteen minutes. When it was completed to 

 his satisfaction, he would start oflf to feed again. 



This Galliiiiile frequents tule-bordered ponds and streams and may 

 occasionally be seen feeding along with Mud-hens. Although the 

 Gallinule is partially gregarious, it and the Mud-hen are never seen 

 together in any numbers, usually not more than a few pairs of the 

 former frequenting any one marsh in this state. 



Aquatic and other insects form the larger part of the food of the 

 Florida Gallinule ; but certain water plants and seeds are also taken. 

 The stomach of a specimen taken in Nebraska contained seven grass- 

 hoppers, twenty-nine other insects, some seeds and other vegetable 

 matter (Barrows, 1912, p. 162). The birds forage more largely on 

 the shores of ponds and among the vegetation, and less on the open 

 water, than does the Mud-hen. 



Where known to sportsmen Gallinules are considered fine birds for 

 the table, and were they more numerous here more would doubtless 

 find places in hunters' bags. But in California they are present in 

 such small numbers as to be considered curiosities, and it is this fact 

 which most often leads to their being shot. 



Near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Florida Gallinules have increased 

 during recent years, and there is a possibility that by careful pro- 

 tection their numbers might be made to increase in our own state. 

 We have not been able to find a basis for any judgment as to com- 

 parative abundance here, now and formerly, though it seems evident 

 that they have never been notably numerous in California since 

 natural liistory records began to accumulate. 



Mud-hen 



Fulica americana Gmelin 



Other xames — Coot; Chinese Mallard. 



Description — Adults, both sexes: Whole head and neck, black; iris bright 

 red; frontal shield chocolate brown; bill whitish, with a brownish or blackish 

 spot on both mandibles near tip; rest of upper and under surface of body 

 including wings and tail, dark slate, blending into black on neck; edge of 

 wing narrowly white; secondaries tipped broadly with white; lower back tinged 

 with olive brown; feathers of belly tipped more or less with white; longer 

 under tail coverts white, forming a V enclosing the shorter black feathers; 

 front toes broadly lobed (see fig. .5.5); legs and feet greenish yellow. Males: 

 Total length 15.00 inches (381 mm.) (one specimen); folded wing 7.40-7.90 

 (188-200); bill along culmen (to top of shield) 1.62-1.84 (41.1-46.7); tarsus 

 2.21-2.36 (56.2-60.0) (ten specimens). Females: Total length 14.00-14.62 (3.56- 

 372) (two specimens); folded wing 6.70-7.45 (170-189); bill along culmen 



