144 NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



" Egging in a California Swamp," in the " Young Oologist " for October, 

 1884, records taking five hundred Coot eggs, together with large numbers 

 of those of ducks and grebes. The nest of the Crow Duck, as it is some- 

 times called, is made of dead reeds and grasses, placed on the ground, just 

 out of the water or on floating vegetation ; the flags on which it rests being 

 broken down, rises and falls with the water. 



581. The Limpkin — akamus pictus. Ashy-yellow, lined, sprinkled, 

 spotted and blotched irregularly with reddish-brown and umber; rather 

 elliptical. • Some writers state that the eggs of this bird are only two or 

 three in number. Messrs. Southwick and Jencks, who have had con- 

 siderable experience in handling the eggs of this species, say the number 

 ranges from four to seven; their sizes from 1.70 by 2.35 to 1.75 by 2.50. 

 The Limpkin is a constant resident in middle and southern Florida, where 

 its long, loud and oft-repeated cries have given it the name of Crying-bird. 

 Mr. Maynard says the birds are particularly abundant in the marshes on 

 either side of the St. Johns, from Blue Spring to the mouth of the Wekiva 

 and also on this stream and the Oclawaha River further north. He says 

 the Limpkin has a habit of standing and stupidly gazing at an intruder. 

 He found one standing this way on the end of a log, jerking his head up 

 and down, much in the manner of a Rail. He says it breeds in February, 

 placing the nests on bushes which overhang the water. 



Hab, Florida, West Indies and the Atlantic coast of Central America. 



582. Whooping Crane — grus Americana. Light brownish-drab, 

 sparsely marked, except at the greater end, with large irregular spots of a 

 pale dull chocolate-brown and obscure shell-markings; elliptical; the shell 

 is very rough, covered with numerous elevations like little warts; Dr. 

 Coues says two (or three?) in number; size about 3.75 by 2.65. This 

 fine Crane inhabits the interior of North America, from the Fur Countries 

 to Florida, Texas and Mexico, and is found from Ohio to Colorado. It 

 formerly strayed casually to the Atlantic coast. Its principal line of 

 migration appears to be the Mississippi Valley at large, and it is known 

 to breed in Minnesota and Dakota and also further north. Dr. Jasper has 

 a live specimen of this stately white bird which he has had for eighteen years. 

 It was accidentally caught in a steel-trap fifteen miles north of Dubuque, 

 Iowa. It has become perfectly domesticated and walks about the yard 

 with the chickens and ducks and is as much at home as any of them, 

 feeding from the hand, and promptly answering to the name of "Coco." 

 When first captured it was very wary, but in a few years it became 

 tame and was allowed its liberty. It formerly took spring and autumn 

 flights to a neighboring creek, but lately it believes there is no place like 



