90 



Subfamily Fulicince. 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. 



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

 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. 



Order Limicolae. Shore Birds, Snipes, Sandpipers, Plover, etc. 



General Description. Shore Birds constitute an order comparatively easy to recog- 

 nize but difficult to briefly describe. All snipe or plover-like birds are included in this order. 

 They have moderately to extremely long, delicately-formed legs for wading in shallow water 

 and pond edges and neck and bill (Figures 15,21,22,23, pp. 20-22) to correspond. The toes 

 may be either three or four in number, and are poorly adapted for perching. They may be 

 without webs entirely, or with partial webs situated either at the bases of the toes, or 

 forming scalloped or entire edgings to them (see Phalaropes). The hind toe when present 

 is small, weak, and slightly elevated above the rest. The wings are long and pointed and 

 the secondaries next to the body are lengthened. 



Distinctions. Some Shore oirds show superficial resemblance to the Rails, whereas 

 others in certain characteristics (Curlews) may be mistaken for either Ibises or Herons, 

 but can be distinguished from them by the small and elevated, or absent hind toe and the 

 lack of bare skin oetween eye and bill. 



Field Marks. General outline, habit, habitat, and flight, characteristics which are quite 

 recognizable. 



Nesting. On ground, except one species. 



Distribution. The order, Shore Birds, is cosmopolitan and there are few areas in the 

 world that some of its members do not occupy. The Old and New World forms of the 

 northern hemisphere are closely related: some are identical, many are subspecifically 

 related, and a few, such as the Turnstone, are found all over the world. Most of our 

 northern species breed in the far north, some of them as far as exploration has gone, though 

 a few nest on, and across, our southern borders. 



The Shore Birds, in the days of their original abundance, were favour- 

 ite game birds; now since their numbers have been so greatly reduced they 

 are seldom systematically hunted, and only shot incidentally. Of the 

 Shore Birds of eastern Canada, Woodcock and Wilson's Snipe are of the 

 most interest as game. The representatives of the order found in eastern 

 Canada are divided into six families: Phalaropodidw, Phalaropes; Recur- 



