COOT. . ' •'•* 



HABITS. 

 The Purple GalUnules are only found in Florida during summer, appearing on tho 

 marshes of the interior in May, and I have seen them walking over the floating vegetation 

 on the St. John's River, appearing much like the preceding species, but are quite readily 

 distinguished, even at a distance, by the brighter colors. These birds breed late in May in 

 Florida, for I have received eggs from that section, taken at this time. In migrating, these 

 Gallinules appear to move in flocks, for I was informed by the wreckers, tliat occasionally 

 the exposed margins of the outer keys are covered with them, at which time they are so 

 tame that they can be captured in the hand without difficulty. The Purple Gallinules have 

 been taken as far north as Massachusetts, but are very I'are here. 



GENUS rV'. FULICA. THE COOTS. 



Gen. Cii. BiU, about ns /on/j as head, not grooved nor curved, thick at base, and prooided with a frontal plate. Toes, 

 lobated. Keel, not equal in heiyht to the width of the sternum. Marginal indentations, two, tvide and deep. 



In meml^ers of this genus t)ie glands of the proven tricul us occupy two circular spaces on the upper and 1 )wcr portions, 

 ■which measure '75 in uiametcr in our species. Tlie stomach is very muscular. The trachea is Uattc ned abuve, then be- 

 comes rounded and narrows rapidly below the origin of the sterno-trachealis which is long and slend^, emerging from the 

 trachea '50 from the larynx, and there is a wide hut thin bronchialis. The bronchial tubes are small, bend inward near 

 the center, where they are connected by a wide ligature. The tympaniform membrane and os iransvei-sale are both absent. 

 Sexes, similar. There is one species within our limits. 



FULICA AMERICANA. 

 Coot. 

 Fulica Americana Gm. Syst. Nat., I; 1788, 704. 

 DESCEIPTION. 

 Sp. Cn. Form, robust. Size, rather large. Tongue, white in color, very thick, fleshy, and pointed at tip wliicli is 

 horny. 



Color. Adult. Uniform, dark bluish-ash, becoming nearly black on the head and neck, with outer edge of outer 

 primaries, tips of secondaries, and under tail coverts, white, while the last has a black line down the center. Iris, brown. 

 Legs, gi-eenish. Bill, yellow, white at tip, with a band across center and frontal plate, browuLsh-rcJ. Younij. Similar 

 to the adult but paler and the feathers are more or less tipped witii white. 



OBSERVATIONS. 

 Readily known by the lobated toes and uniform dark bluish-a.sh colors as described. Distributed, a.s a suiniiicr resi- 

 dent, from Canada southward. Winters in the South. 



DIMENSIONS. 

 Average measurements of specimens from Eastern United States. Length, 15'60; stretch, 2.'>25; wing, 7-25; tail, 1-33; 

 bill, I '33; tvrsus, 1-75. Longest speci.nen, 16'22; greatest extent of wing, 27-50; hingest wing, 8-00: tail, 2 25; hill,2\'?0; tar- 

 sus, 230. Shortest specimen, 13-.50; smallest extent of wing, 23'00; shortest wing, C-50; tail, 189; bill, r2(i; lai-sus, 1-25. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 

 Nests, placed on floating vegetation or on the ground in marshy places, composed of grass, weeds, etc. A////S, six to 

 ten in number, oval in form, creamy white in color, finely dotted and .spotted with black. Dimensions from 115x 180 to 

 l-40x200. 



HABITS. 



Coots are common on both fresh and salt waters from Canada to Florida, especially in 

 autumn, but are more numerous toward the South, and I have seen thousands at a time on 

 the bays of Indian River. There can be but little doubt that the Coots breed in Florida, 

 as they occur in numbers there throughout the year. In habits, these birds resemble both 

 the Ducks and Gallinules, as they not only swim and dive well but make their way tluough 

 the grass with ease and swiftness. When disturbed on the open water, they will siwim with 



