KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 263 
SuporDER Ratti. 
Rais, GALLINULES, Coots, ETC. 
Famity ARAMIDE. CouRLans. 
Genus ARAMUS VIEILL. 
ARAMAS GIGANTEUS (Bonap.). 
Limpkin. 
General plumage dark olive brown striped with white, the stripes on the body being much 
heavier than those on the head and neck; wing and tail showing bronzy reflections when heid 
in the light; under mandible slightly twisted near the tip. 
Length, 27.50; Wing, 13; Tarsus, 4.35; Bill, 4.50. 
Aramus giganteus. 
This species occurs in Florida on the Atlantic coast and Central America 
and in many of the West Indies. 
It is resident and breeds in Florida, the nest being composed of leaves 
and twigs, which is placed in a tree or bush near a river or in a swamp. 
The eggs are from five to seven in number and buffy white marked with 
dark brown. At one time it was a very abundant species, but is now seldom 
seen except in the less inhabited districts. It eats the land-snails which are 
so abundant in the cypress ponds on the borders of the Everglades. 
