1889. ] Scotr, Birds of the Gulf Coast of Florida. T 55 
barring on the sides, flanks, and axillars, varies greatly and seems to 
correspond to the general tone of the color of the individual. The 
birds with cinnamon or yellowish breasts have clearly defined whitish 
bars, generally rather more than an eighth of an inch in width. The birds 
with clear olive below, have their barring often obscure and in three indi- 
viduals examined the bars arealmost obsolete on the flanks and sides, and 
not presentat all on the axillars. The amount of white on the lower tail- 
coverts is at a minimum in these darker birds and often assumes the form 
of bars, zarrower than the dark olive brown areas between. These are 
some of the more noticeable features in the color variation in the series of 
birds considered, and the remaining individuals not before alluded to pre- 
sent every degree of intermediate phase of color. There does not seem to be 
any correlation, in this tendency to vary in color, to the age or sex of the 
individual, or tothe season of the year, for I have birds taken in winterthat 
are of both extremes, and breeding birds that present every degree from 
the dark to what may be termed the lighter phase of color. The young 
birds in first plumage are generally lighter as a whole than the adults, and 
the under parts that are olive or cinnamon in adult birds are dirty whitish 
at this stage in the dozen or more individuals that have come under my 
observation. 
Rallus virginianus. ViIRGINIA RaiL.—This does not seem a common 
species on the Gulf Coast, and my records about Tarpon Springs are but 
few, being made in the months of December, 1887, and February, 1888. 
Porzana carolina. Sora.—Though more common than the last, I have 
but few records of this species from Tarpon Springs, the earliest fall note 
beingin the first week in October and the latest spring note March 29, 
1887. Mr. Atkins finds the species not common at Key West ‘‘in the 
fall.” 
Ionornis martinica. PuRPLE GALLINULE.—About Tarpon Springs this 
species is not common but I have records of its occurence in this vicinity. 
At points on the Coloosahatchie River it is common, resident, and 
breeds. A nest and four eggs from this region are before me, and were 
taken on May 10, 1887. I havealso a series of birds collected in the same 
locality from the downy stage to the peculiar first plumage, which seems 
to be assumed, at the point in question, about the first week in July, and 
only lasts about six weeks to two months, when the second moult is com- 
pleted. 
This is one of the species that in its migrations is frequently blown out 
to sea in the Gulf and I have had several individuals brought to me by 
men from the sponging boats that fish from six to fifteen miles off the 
mouth of the Anclote River. These birds came on board during hard 
storms, generally in March, and being very much exhausted were easily 
captured. 
Gallinula galeata. FLormIpDA GALLINULE.— Common resident, and 
breeds in suitable localities, at all points which I have visited on the Gulf 
Coast of Florida. The birds are, however, apparently much more abun- 
dant in winter than during the warmer months. 
