42 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of [Ibis, 



378. Gallinula galeata Liclit. American Waterben. 



Adult male. Bill and frontal sliield brigbt scarlef, like 

 nothing so much as sealing-wax, tip of bill yellow. Legs 

 and feet bright pale green, at base of tarsus a scarlet band 

 nearly half-an-inch wide ; claws horn-colour. 



Adult female. Similar to male, but the scarlet band at 

 the tarsus becomes only a scarlet spot or mark, situated 

 behindj and not more than an eighth of an inch deep. The 

 preceding notes are from a pair in full nesting plumage 

 (2nd December). 



The American Waterhen may be, or may not be, common 

 in our locality. I confess, honestly, that among the multitude 

 of individuals it is difficult to differentiate it from the Red- 

 gartered Coot {Falica armillata Vieill.) and the Red-fronted 

 Coot [Fiilica leuco])yya Hartl.). If it is borne in mind also, 

 that all three are possibly mixed up with myriads of the 

 Yellow-billed Coot {Fulica leucoptera Vieill.), which is a 

 confident and easy-going species, whilst the others promptly 

 disappear amidst the rushes on being disturbed, it will be 

 more readily understood how the observer is liable to be at 

 fault as he strains his eyes for the points of identification. 



I was fortunate enough to procure the nest along with 

 the parent birds referred to at the beginning of this notice. 

 It so happens that amidst the sandhills and scattered woods 

 of the Yngleses head-station, there lies a deep pool and 

 a marsh (two or three hundred yards square, according to the 

 season) ; one-tiiird open water, the remainder a jungle of 

 rushes, flags, ^'durasnillos,'^ and water-plants, intersected by 

 two or three waterways. Ten years ago I formed this into 

 a sanctuary by enclosing it with a strong post-and-wire fence, 

 leaving only as much of the clear water as was necessary 

 to water some of the cattle. Within the enclosure I 

 kept a small canoe, available for exploration of the reed- 

 beds or as a vantage-point for observation. The locality, 

 though only ten minutes' walk from my house, was removed 

 from the frequented approaches to the head-station ; and my 

 people were given to understand that it was immune from dis- 

 turbance or any oumiing except my own. It will be readily 



