THE AMERICAN COOT. ae 
sparrow ; and they are so small that the observer scarcely thinks of them as 
being rails until they are gone. 
It is significant that most, perhaps all, of the Pacific Coast records for 
this bird have been made in the late fall or early winter. This does not 
necessarily argue a northern breeding ground for the species, but only that 
the birds relax their vigilance in part at this season. During the nesting 
season they simply cannot be flushed; and the discovery of a nest is a lucky 
accident, such as has not yet befallen any one on the western coast. 
In Jamaica, where the type form has been studied more closely than 
elsewhere, an informant of Mr. Gosse told him that several were accidentally 
killed by the negroes at work, as, in the presence of danger, the bird is so 
foolish as to hide its head, cock up its rump, and imagine itself safe. Another 
authority, a Mr. March, likened its cry to the syllables chi-chi-cro-croo-croo 
“several times repeated in sharp, high-toned notes, so as to be audible to a 
considerable distance.” 
No. 243. 
AMERICAN COOT. 
a 
Synonyms.—Mup Hen. Crow Duck. Pour D’EkAu. 
O. U. No. 221. Fulica americana Gmel. 
Description.—Adult: General color blackish slate, bluer tinted above, 
browner tinted below ; head and neck pure black ; lower scapulars and interscapu- 
lars tinged with olive-green; edge of wing, exterior margin of first primary, tips 
of secondaries, and lateral and posterior tail-coverts w hite : bill ivory-white, a dark 
brown spot near the tip of each mandible; frontal shield brownish red; tarsi and 
feet greenish; toes margined by scalloped flaps. Adult in winter: Plumage 
lightened below by whitish tips of feathers; frontal shield reduced in size. /imma- 
ture: Similar, but more extensively tipped with whitish; frontal shield still further 
reduced; red spots on bill wanting; bill obscure flesh-color or with olive tinge. 
Downy young: Blackish head and neck decorated with orange-colored bristly fila- 
ments, remaining upperparts with similar but paler filaments; bill orange-red, the 
upper mandible black-tipped. Length about 15,00 (381); wing 7.35 (186.7) 
tail 2.20 (55.9) ; bill (from beginning of frontal shield) 1.40 (35.6); tarsus 2.10 
(53-3) ; middle toe and claw 3.10 (78.7). 
Recognition Marks.—Crow size, to appearance; substantially uniform color- 
ation (slaty black) ; white bill; lobate feet. 
Nesting.—WNest: an elevated platform of dried cat-tail leaves and grasses in 
heavy growth of marsh, or surrounded by water. Eggs: 6-15, usually about 10, 
pale buffy or cream color, moderately sprinkled with rounded spots and dots of 
burnt umber, sepia or black. Av. size, 1.88 x 1.32 (47.8 x 33.5). Season: May 
10-June 20; one brood. 
