62 BIRDS OF OHIO. 
76. (219.) GALLINULA GALEATA (Linn.). 236. 
Florida Gallinule. 
Synonyms: Gallinula chloropus, Crex galeata. 
Common Gallinule, Red-billed Mud-hen. 
Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 165, 185. 
This rather conspicuous swamp bird is fairly common 
over the entire state where there are marshes large enough 
to accommodate it. In many of the larger swamps it is al- 
most abundant. At Licking reservoir we found it in con- 
siderable numbers. At the Sandusky bay marshes it is 
more than common. I have not found it at the small 
swamps at Oak Point. A few were to be found at Lorain 
before the ship yards were established there. It does not 
flush readily from its retreats, but makes such a disturbance 
when running through the reeds and grasses that it can 
readily be traced by sound. In the vicinity of the young 
it is possible to approach within studying distance of the 
parents. 
They first reach northern Ohio about the first of May, 
and the last is seen about the middle of September. 
7%. (221.) Furica AMERICANA Gmel. 237. 
American Coot. 
Synonyms: Coot, Mud-hen, Crow Duck, White-billed Mud-hen. 
Wheaton, Ohio Agri. Report, 1860, 369. 
While the Coot is more often seen than the Florida Galli- 
nule by the casual bird student, it is not as numerous in 
individuals in the state. It generally visits the Oberlin 
water-works reservoir during both migrations, and may 
visit the open water and ponds in the vicinity of the lake 
shore at such times. If it remains all winter in the south- 
ern counties it does so rarely. It was not found breeding 
at either the Licking or Lewiston reservoirs, nor at Chippe- 
wa lake, but one bird was seen by me at the Sandusky bay 
swamps in July. It appears to breed sparingly in our most 
northern marshes, but is not generally common in summer. 
The Coot enters the state late in March, reaches the lake 
