Vol i9oeP n ] Stone, Letters of Alexander Wilson and John Abbot. 367 



round it, but they did not attempt to eat it. This latter species is 

 not so plentiful in the country as about Savannah. Upon killing a 

 beeve in the Country, the scent of the blood immediately attracts 

 them and you will soon see them flying in the air gathering from 

 different quarters to feed on the offal as soon as it is left. This is 

 the case with both species. 



The Raven only frequents the back inland Countries of Georgia 

 & can inform you nothing more of it. 



Both the Darters I esteem but of one species. I have only now 

 by me a drawing of the male or black bellied but have had them 

 both at one time, in the female I remember that the upper parts 

 was similar to the male only the color and markings more pale 

 and obscure, length 36 inches, 46 in extent, tips of both mandibles 

 serrated pointing inwards. Frequent the ponds, rivers & creeks 

 in the Summer, builds in Trees in Swamps & Islands in ponds &c. 

 makes their nests of Sticks, often builds in the same tree annually 

 Egg sky blue, a nest that was not very large had 2 eggs in it & 

 6 young ones of different sizes. Commonly sets on a stump in the 

 water of mornings in the spring with its wings extended to the sun 

 from which it is called by some people Sun Bird: difficult to be 

 shot when swimming keeping its head only just above water. 



The Purple Gallinule frequents the Rice fields & marshes in 

 the lower parts, is rare, having only met with but 3 specimens, 

 have no doubt but it breeds here is 12 inches in length. When 

 alive, the naked crown or spot above the bill is bright blue, bill red 

 lead, tip yellow ochree. Sides yellow brown. You dont mention 

 the Cinirious Gallinule, about the same size & rarity, the spot 

 or the crown as well as the upper part of the bill & garters red 

 tip of the bill yellow. Is of the color much as the last the toes is 

 larger in proportion than that of the former. 



Coot (L 14^ extent 25^) frequents the Rice fields and ponds &c. 

 in Winter, I dont know that it breeds here, if it does it is in y e 

 s n parts the female is the palest in color, the spot on y e forehead 

 is a bright chestnut brown. I have been told there is 3 species of 

 Coots in Georgia. I have had several at a time that was asserted 

 to be of 2 species but upon a careful examination cou'd observe no 

 difference (but in size) but what might arise from age or sex. 



I can inform you nothing in respect to the C. glacialis. I had 



