THE AMERICAN COOT. 455 



The Gallinule keeps much more closely to the reeds than does the Coot, 

 to which it is sO' closely related. It is difficult to flush, but when seen the red 

 bill is immediately distinctive. The notes, by which the bird's presence in the 

 swamp is oftenest betrayed, distantly resemble those of the Guinea-hen, but are 

 much softened and subdued. 



The nest is a low platform of broken-down reeds, and is oftenest placed 

 upon the shore side of the swamp, where the ground is only moderately damp. 

 It is a little smaller than that of the Coot, but boasts the same characteristic 

 run-way. Like the Coot also it will build in isolated weed-patches, well out, 

 which can be reached only by swimming; while Dr. Langdon found, near 

 Port Clinton, a floating nest which was only anchored to the reeds. 



The eggs may be distinguished with certainty from those of the Coot by 

 remembering that the markings are of pale rufous and lavender, and that they 

 incline to larger sizes and irregular shapes, while the spots of the Coot's egg 

 are rounded or punctate, and run in sepias and blacks. 



The Florida Gallinule is quite irregular in its distribution in this state. 

 Its presence, especially in the swamps which border the larger reservoirs, de- 

 pends larg-ely upon the height of the water. In 1902, they were common at the 

 Licking Reservoir, while in 1903, with the water a foot or so higher, none 

 were to be found. They are common at any time in the larger swamps which 

 bound Lake Erie, but even here their presence varies locally from year to year. 



No. 204. 



AMERICAN COOT. 



A. O. U. No. 221. Fulica americana Gmel. 



Synonyms. — Mud Hen ; Crow Duck. 



Description. — Adult : General color blackish slate, bluer tinted above, 

 browner tinted below ; head and neck pure black ; lower scapulars and interscapu- 

 lars tinged with olive-green ; edge of wing, exterior margin of first primary, tips 

 of secondaries, and lateral and posterior tail-coverts white ; bill ivory-white, a dark 

 brown spot near the tip of each mandible ; frontal shield brownish red ; tarsi and 

 feet greenish ; toes margined by scalloped -flaps. Adult in ninter : Plumage 

 lightened below by whitish tips of feathers ; frontal shield reduced in size. Imma- 

 ture : Similar, but more extensively tipped with whitish ; frontal shield still further 

 reduced; red spots on bill wanting; bill obscure flesh-color or with olive tinge. 

 Downy yoking : Blackish head and neck decorated with orange-colored bristly fila- 

 ments ; remaining upper parts with similar but paler filaments ; bill orange-red, the 

 upper mandible black-tipped. Length about 15.00 (381.); wing 7.35 (186.7); 

 tad 2.20 (55.9) ; bill (from beginning of frontal shield) 1.40 (35.6) ; tarsus 2.10 

 (53.3) ; middle toe and claw 3.10 (78.7). 



Recognition Marks. — Crow size, to appearance ; substantially uniform color- 

 ation (slaty black) ; zi'hite bill ; lobate feet. 



