62 BIRDS OF OHIO. 



76. (219.) GALLINULA GALEATA (Linn.). 236. 



Florida Gallinule. 



Synonyms: Gallinula chloropus, Crex galeata. 



Common Gallinule, Red-billed Mud-hen. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 165, 185. 



This rather conspicuous swamp bird is fairly common 

 over the entire state where there are marshes large enough 

 to accommodate it. In many of the larger swamps it is al- 

 most abundant. At Licking reservoir we found it in con- 

 siderable numbers. At the Sandusky bay marshes it is 

 more than common. I have not found it at the small 

 swamps at Oak Point. A few were to be found at Lorain 

 before the ship yards were established there. It does not 

 flush readily from its retreats, but makes such a disturbance 

 when running through the reeds and grasses that it can 

 readily be traced by sound. In the vicinity of the young 

 it is possible to approach within studying distance of the 

 parents. 



They first reach northern Ohio about the first of May, 

 and the last is seen about the middle of September. 



77. (221.) FULICA AMERICANA Gmel. 237. 



American Coot. 



Synonyms: Coot, Mud-hen, Crow Duck, White-billed Mud-hen. 

 Wheaton, Ohio Agri. Report, 1860, 369. 



While the Coot is more often seen than the Florida Galli- 

 nule by the casual bird student, it is not as numerous in 

 individuals in the state. It generally visits the Oberlin 

 water- works reservoir during both migrations, and may 

 visit the open water and ponds in the vicinity of the lake 

 shore at such times. If it remains all winter in the south- 

 ern counties it does so rarely. It was not found breeding 

 at either the Licking or Lewiston reservoirs, nor at Chippe- 

 wa lake, but one bird was seen by me at the Sandusky bay 

 swamps in July. It appears to breed sparingly in our most 

 northern marshes, but is not generally common in summer. 



The Coot enters the state late in March, reaches the lake 



