684 Eepokt of State Geologist. 



not too dense. The dozen or so sets of eggs taken were in various 

 stages of incubation, and a few young were observed following their 

 parents. The young when a day or two old axe about the size of a 

 newly hatched domestic chicken, and, when found in the open water, 

 are easily captured. They present a curious sight, paddling for deax 

 life, with their bright, red and orange bills standing out in strong con- 

 trast with their sooty-black, down-covered bodies.^' (Journ. Gin. Soc. 

 Nat. Hist., Vol. Ill, No. 3, October, 1880, p. 228.) 



No doubt, the same story prevails everywhere — ^that these birds are 

 not so numerous or so unsuspicious as they once were, but, on the con- 

 trary, are rapidly diminishing in numbers and becoming much 

 more shy. 



In addition to the places mentioned, it has been noted in the fol- 

 lowing counties during the spring migrations: Marion (Noe), Putnam 

 (Clearwaters), Steuben (H. W. McBride), Delaware (Bain), Eush 

 (Voorhees), Boone (Beasley). I have no account of it in the State in 

 the fall later than August 2, 1896, when Mr. Parker reported it com- 

 mon at Hammond. What becomes of, it in the fall? In all of the 

 many records I have examined from Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and 

 Illinois and in the reports gathered by Prof. Cooke from the Missis- 

 sippi Valley, I fail to find a single record of it in the fall. Mr. Parker 

 says it departs early in September. 



SUBFAMILT FULICIN.E. 

 41. Gends FULICA Linn-ehs. 



*83. (221). Fulica americana Gjiel. 



American Coot. 



Adult. — Dark slate, paler or greenish below, blackening on the head 

 and neck, tinged with olive on the back; crissum, whole edge of wing 

 and top of secondaries, white; bill, white Or flesh-colored, marked with 

 reddish-black near the end; feet, dull olivaceous. Immature. — Similar, 

 paler and duller; frontal shield rudimentary. Downy Young. — Black- 

 ish, white, below; head and neck, with orange hairlike feathers, which 

 are also found less numerously and paler on the upper parts: bill, 

 orange-red, black tipped. 



Length, 13.00-16.00; wing, 7.25-7.60; bill (to commencement of 

 frontal shield), 1.25-1.60; tarsus, 2.00-2.20. 



Eange. — America, from Central America and West Indies north to 

 Alaska and casually to Greenland. Breeds throughout its range. Win- 

 ters in Southern States and southward. 



