70 EGG CHECK LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 
the similarity of the noises made by them ‘in that condition, and those- 
made by a colony of Night Herons on being disturbed. 
This species also feeds by day as well as by night, and I have often 
seen several of them at once feeding in the creeks at low water, in the day- 
time, and it is also a constant resident throughout the year, remaining 
here in the severest winters. I have killed them in the coldest winter 
weather when the creeks and harbors were frozen up, and snow covered 
the ground everywhere.” 
522. Ochthodromus Wilsonzus. 
Wilson’s Plover. 
A set of four eggs of this species, collected in Johnson county, Ne- 
braska, is in my collection. The nest was a slight hollow in the ground, 
covered with dry grass. The eggs are of a light clay color, spotted and 
blotched with reddish and umber-brown. They measure respectively: 
r.83 by 1.20,.1.83 by 1.29, 1-75 by 1.26, 1.64 by v.23: I have mademiens 
tion elsewhere in this work, of the difference in the markings of the eggs 
of this species, described by some authors, and those specimens in my col- 
lection. I find also a great difference in the sizés. The usual sizes given 
are from 1.35 to 1.40 in length, and from 1. to 1.05 in diameter, those 
in my collection being much larger. 
579. Galhnula galleata. 
Florida Gallinule. 
Mr. Langdon gives the following account of this species as he ob- 
served it in Ottawa county, Ohio: 
‘« A very common species, breeding abundantly in the more open por- 
tions 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 
- 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, extending from the wa- 
ter’s edge, which makes them a conspicuous object where the surrounding 
vegetation is not too dense. The dozen or so sets of eggs taken were in 
‘various stages of incubation, anda few young were observed following 
their parents. The young, when a day or two old, are about the size of a 
newly-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 strange contrast with their 
sooty-black, down-covered bodies.” 
_I have a set of eight eggs collected this season (1884), by Dr. How- 
ard Jones, near Circleville, Ohio. Dr. Jonesinforms me that he collected 
