93 



Distinctions. Distinguished from the Purple Gallinule by the characters mentioned 

 above; from the Copt, which it closely resembles, by red instead of white bill and frontal 

 plate, white flank lines, brownish back, and clean unwebbed toes. 



Field Marks. Red bill and frontal plate, white flank streaks, brownish back, and all- 

 dark secondary tips when flying. 



Nesting. Usually on a slight eminence such as an old muskrat house in watery marshes, 

 in nest of waste vegetable fragments. 



Distribution. More northern than the Purple Gallinule, and regularly common in 

 Canada only along the lower Great Lakes. 



This is the best-known Mud-hen of southern Canada. Its fairly large 

 size and palatable flesh, due to its fondness for wild rice and other marsh 

 seeds, render it an object of pursuit by the sportsman. It requires more 

 open water than the Rails, but in general resembles them in habits. It 

 is a rather noisy bird, especially at night; and during the day joins the 

 Rails in their chorus of surprise at unusual and unexpected disturbances. 

 At times one bird will suddenly utter a volley of cackles, answered immed- 

 iately by another, and another, and for a few moments the apparently 

 deserted marsh is a small pandemonium of unexpected bird sounds. 



Economic Status. Except as a game-bird the Gallinule is of little 

 account economically. 



Subfamily Fulicinae. Coots. 



General Description. Rather large, duck-like birds, but with long toes furnished with 

 membranous lobes; bill extends up on forehead in a white frontal plate or shield (Figure 

 14, p. 20). 



Distinctions. Much like the Gallinules; distinctions given under description of species 

 in following section. 



Genus Fulica. Coots. 



221. American Coot. WHITE-BILLED MUD-HEN. FR. LA FOULQUE D'AMERIQUE. 

 LA POULE D'EAU. Fulica americana. L, 15. An evenly coloured, slate-grey bird, darker 

 on head, lighter below; bill and frontal plate (Figure 14, p. 20) white with solitary reddish- 

 brown spots at top of plate and on tips of mandibles. Legs dull green and toes with 

 bordering scallop of web-flaps (one to three lobes on each toe). 



Distinctions. Distinguished from the Gallinule by white bill and the toe-webs. 



Field Marks. Size, slate-grey coloration, white bill, and frontal shield and, when 

 flying, the border of white secondary tips on the wings. 



Nesting. Nest very similar to that of the Florida Gallinule. 



Distribution. More northern than the Gallinules; found throughout Canada well 

 into the cultivated area; breeds wherever found in Canada. 



Unlike the Gallinules, which quietly leave our marshes in early autumn, 

 the Coots remain until late in the season, and, their numbers augmented 

 by migrants from the north, gather in large flocks in small lakes and ponds, 

 where they are sometimes shot by the hunter, who later finds them indiff- 

 erent eating. 



Economic Status. The Coot is more of a vegetable feeder, than even 

 the Gallinule, but, owing to its habitat, cannot be of economic importance 

 except as a second-rate object of sport. 



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