184 Miller, The Florida Gallimde in Philadelphia Co. [April 



that the three sets were the product of the one pair, as no others 

 were ever seen in it. The similarity of the eggs of the three sets in 

 shape, size and coloration precluded any probability of their being 

 the product of any other than the same female. The large set 

 contained two eggs of abnormal size, and in incubation the clutch 

 varied from fresh to pipped, the majority of them being over half 

 incubated; two were rotten. 



The following table will show how the Gallinule has held its own 

 in such a frequented locality, despite gunners and nest robbers: — 



1904, 1 or more pairs. (None were seen in the marsh in 1903.) 



1905, 5 pairs, perhaps 6. 



1906, 5 or 6 pairs. This year the marsh was not thoroughly ex- 

 plored. 



1907, 9 pairs; one pair at Aramingo, a locality a mile north of 

 this place. 



1908, 9 or 10 pairs; one pair at Aramingo. 



1909, 10 pairs; one pair at Frankford and another at Brides- 

 burg. The former locality is a half mile above Aramingo, and 

 these birds deserted it early in June, when boys despoiled their nest 

 and the drought dried up the marsh, for the Aramingo marsh 

 where they successfully raised a family. Bridesburg is two miles 

 above Port Richmond on the Delaware River. The other two 

 localities are upon the Frankford Creek, a tide-water tributary of 

 the Delaware. 



It will be seen that in four or five years the Florida Gallinule has 

 more than doubled its numbers in this restricted area in spite of the 

 decreasing size of the marsh, and it also is beginning to spread out 

 in this vicinity. This is a good sign and insures the bird as a perma- 

 nent summer resident when this marsh is filled in, as it will be in a 

 few years, as the work of filling is steadily continued. I have never 

 seen the Florida Gallinule in this vicinity at any other locality than 

 those already cited, but Mr. Richard C. Harlow has observed it at 

 Tinicum, Delaware County, Pa., in summer, and one was shot in 

 October, 1907, in Camden, N. J. Both of these localities are along 

 the Delaware River and contain good breeding grounds for the 

 Gallinule, as I have ascertained in winter, and hope some day to 

 confirm my suspicions by finding them there in summer. 



The Florida Gallinule departs in October, and by November 

 they are usually all gone; my latest record is November 16, 1909. 



