104 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



the tall grass along the edges of water courses, bending the grass 

 down and weaving it together. Besides its true nest, the bird makes 

 several " shams," often as many as five or six. The nesting season is 

 in May or June. Mr. Arthur T. Wayne informs me that in South 

 Carolina the nest is invariably built in rushes over water. The usual 

 number of eggs laid is eight or nine, but frequently more are de- 

 posited. The eggs are cream color, finely and rather sparsely dotted 

 with chestnut-brown and umber; rather elliptical, and measure from 

 1.70 to 1.75 long by 1.15 to 1.20 broad. 



219. Gallinula galeata (LIGHT.) [579.] 



Florida Gallinule. 



Hab. Temperate and tropical America; north to British Provinces. 



Known as the Common Gallinule and Red-billed Mud Hen. Its 

 center of abundance is in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and it 

 breeds as far north as Massachusetts. Not an uncommon summer 

 resident in Ohio, breeding in the extensive swamps and marshes 

 throughout the State. The nest is usually fastened in the sedges and 

 marsh grass above shallow water, or among the flags. The foundation 

 is often made by breaking down the flags, so as to form a little plat- 

 form, which will, to a certain degree, rise and fall with the water. On 

 this the nest proper is built of the last year's flags. In Florida, where 

 the bird is remarkably abundant, the nest is placed in the drier por- 

 tions of the marshes, among thick reeds and rushes. A set of eight 

 eggs, collected by Dr. Jones near Circleville, Ohio, measure i.7ox 1.20, 

 1.81x1.18, 1.81x1.17, 1.78x1.23, 1.84x1.25, 1.84x1.22, 1.77x1.24, 

 and 1.83 x 1.16. The number of eggs laid ranges from seven to thirteen. 

 They are creamy or brownish-buff, rather thickly spotted and blotched 

 with brown and umber ; some of the spots are as small as pin heads ; 

 sizes vary from 1.75 to 2.00 long by 1.20 to 1.30 broad ; shaped like an 

 average hen's egg. 



[220.] Fulica atra LINN. 



European Coot. 



Hab. Europe, Asia and North Africa. 



This bird closely resembles our American Coot, but its average 

 size is slightly larger. It is a common resident south of middle Eng- 

 land, and in the summer is found breeding in the numerous lochs 

 throughout Scotland. Its habits in all respects are like those of the 

 American bird. The nest is built in close proximity to water, on 

 islands, borders of lakes, ponds and rivers. It is generally placed 

 among and attached to flags, reeds or rushes. It is large and roughly 

 made of plants and vegetable matter. The eggs are from six or seven 



