124 FULICA AMERICANA. 



awkwardly, yet it contrives to skulk through tlie grass 

 and rords with gn-at sprrd, tli;> OOHUMTCtsed form of its 

 body, like that of the rail genus, being well adapted to 

 the purpose. It swims n-murUably well, and, when 

 wounded, will dive like a duck. When closely pursued 

 in the water, it generally takes to the shore, rising with 

 apparent reluctance, like a wounded duck, and fluttering 

 along the surface with its feet pattering on the water.* 

 It is known in Pennsylvania by the name of the mud* 

 hen. 



I have never yet discovered that this species breeds 

 with us ; though it is highly probable that some few 

 may occupy the marshes of the interior, in the vicinity 

 of the ponds and lakes, for this purpose : those retired 

 situations being well adapted to the hatching and rearing 

 of their young. In the Southern States, particularly 

 South Carolina, they are well known ; but the Floridas 

 appear to be their principal rendezvous for the business 

 of incubation. " The coot," says William Bartram, 

 " is a native of North America, from Pennsylvania to 

 Florida. They inhabit large rivers, fresh water inlets 

 or bays, lagoons, &c. where they swim and feed amongst 

 the reeds and grass of the shores ; particularly in the 

 river St Juan, in East Florida; where they are found 

 in immense flocks. They are loquacious and noisy, 

 talking to one another night and day ; are constantly 

 on the water, the broad lobated membranes on their 

 toes enabling them to swim and dive like ducks." -j- 



I observed this species to be numerous, during the 

 winter, in the fresh water ponds, situated in the vicinity 

 of the river St Juan, or St John, in East Florida ; but 

 I did not see them in the river. The food which they 

 obtain in these places must be very abundant and 

 nutritious, as the individuals which I shot were exces- 

 sively fat. One male specimen weighed twenty-four 

 ounces avoirdupois. They associate with the common 



In Carolina, they are called Flusterers, from the noise they 

 make in flying along the surface of the water. A. Voyage to 

 Carolina, bv JOHN LAWSON, p. 149. 



f Letter from Mr Bartram to the author. 



