iSgi-l Bkevvstek oh Florida Galliiiulcs. 7. 



toward or iVoin us, ami often catching the eve vvlien all other 

 trace of him was lost. In the sunli<^ht his breast ajjpeared to be 

 of a rich bluish jiluni color, at other times slaty. The legs 

 were greenish yellow, the head black, the neck nearly so, the 

 wings and back cinnamon or reddish brown. 



He rarely crossed the ditch without stopping at the island to 

 bathe. Standing at the water's edge, with a quick plunge and 

 upward Hing of the head he scattered the drops over his back in 

 a shining shower, opening and trembling his wings as the water 

 fell. After repeating this performance five or six times in rapid 

 succession, he rested a moment, and then went through it once 

 more. After his plumage became thoroughly soaked, he pro- 

 ceeded to dress it, running each feather separately through his 

 bill. This elaborate toilet occupied a considerable time, often 

 lasting as long as fifteen minutes. When it was completed to his 

 satisfaction, he would start oft' to feed again. 



His manner of swimming and of feeding from the surface of 

 the water was very like that of a Coot. He sat high and accom- 

 panied the strokes of the feet with a forward-and-backward 

 nodding motion of the head and neck, accentuated at times as he 

 reached out to seize some tempting morsel. On land lie walked 

 like a Rail, threading his way deftly among the stems of the 

 bushes and tall rushes, stepping daintily, lifting and putting 

 down his feet slowly, and almost incessantly jerking up his tail 

 with a quick, nervous motion which caused the under coverts to 

 tlash like the sudden ftirt of a handkercliief. As he picked his 

 food from the vegetation at his feet, the head and neck were shot 

 forward and downward at intervals of about a second, with a 

 peculiarly vivid, eager motion. His manner of walking and 

 feeding also suggested that of the Guinea- hen, the body being 

 carried low and in a crouching attitude, while the movements of 

 the head partook of that furtive swiftness which is so character- 

 istic of this barnyard fowl. 



Our Gallinule at most times, whether in action or repose, was 

 a l)ird of slender shape and graceful outline, his carriage light yet 

 firm, the play of the body lithe and strong. While preening his 

 feathers, however, his attitude was often stilT and awkward, and 

 the ruffling of his plumage made him apjiear nearly as portly as 

 a duck. Again, the motion of flight was ludicrously awkward 

 and uncouth. When, frightened by a glimpse of us through the 



