BIRDS OF NEW YORK STATE 37 



Gallinule, Florida (continued) 



Call no. 

 Nu GcF Adult Approaching Nest Filled with Eggs. Canoga, near 

 Cayuga lake. (June 25, 1914) Allen 



Note relatively large number of eggs. Observe few white 

 feathers- on the flank. These feathers and others under the tail 

 can be made conspicuous and are called '"flash colors." 



Nu GcF2 Nest with Ten Eggs in Reeds Stone 



The eggs are laid in May or June in a nest of reeds in the 

 marsh. Note how the nest is built up from the water. 



Nu GcF3 Adult Female Turning Over the Eggs. Canoga. (June 25, 

 1914) Allen 



Birds roll their eggs over regularly during incubation. 



Nu GcF4 Adult Female Gradually Settling Down over Her Eggs. 

 Canoga. (June 25, 1914) Allen 



Note how the feathers of the breast are being spread to bring 

 the brood spots in contact with the eggs. 



Nu GcF5 Adult Female on Nest Ruffling. Canoga. (June 24, 1914) 



Allen 



The feathers are ruffled to admit air and to keep the bird cool 

 in the hot sun. 



Nu GcF52 Young Hatching. Renwick, near Ithaca. (June 2, 1909) 



Allen 



Nu GcF6 Young on a Lily Pad. Renwick, near Ithaca. (June 2, 

 1909) Allen 



The young are covered with thick black down and can run and 

 swim shortly after hatching. 



Nu GcF7 Two Young Birds in Water, Stretching and Arranging 

 Their Plumage. Branchport. (August 31, 1913) Burtch 



The gallinule performs in this way after feeding. The atti- 

 tudes are characteristic. The immature birds have lighter 

 throats and under parts than the adults. 



Nu GcF8 Young Bird Swimming Around in Shallow Water for 

 Food. Branchport. (September 8, 1912) Burtch 



This bird seeks food by the hour. It picks at the water weeds 

 and sometimes draws them through its bill, probably for tadpoles 

 and larvae of insects. Note the white under-tail coverts. 



