128 IfBBTS Aim SCtaS OF 



long grass of wet meadows, near rivers and marshes, and in fields of grain. Its 

 presence is indicated by tlie crealcing note from whicli it takes its name. The nest 

 is placed on the ground, generally in a field of grain, grass or clover; it is made of 

 dry plants and grasses. In England this bird nests about the first or middle part of 

 June. The eggs are from seven to ten in number; these, when fresh, are of a pale 

 reddish-white; when blown, the ground color is light buff, with a reddish cast; they 

 are spotted and sprinkled with pale reddish-brown, chiefiy at the larger end. The 

 measurements of a set of five eggs in Mr. Crandall's collection taken near Mers- 

 burg, Germany, July 7, are as follows: 1.40x1.02, 1.43x1.05, 1.40x1.00, 1.42x1.03, 1.45x 

 1.05, respectively. 



218. PURPLE GALLINtTLE. lonornis martinica (Linn.) Geog. Dlst. — South 

 Atlantic and Gulf States; casually northward to Maine, New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, 

 etc.; south through the West Indies, Mexico, Central America and Northern South 

 America to Brazil. 



This beautiful Gallinule inhabits the South Atlantic and Gulf States and strays 

 occasionally northward as far as Maine, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin and other 

 Northern States. It has been taken several times in Central u^iio in June and July. 

 The bird is resident in the South. From its bright purplish-blue colors it may quite 

 readily be distinguished from the Florida Gallinule, even at a long distance. In 

 Florida it breeds in the latter part of May. Mr. Rachford writes me that in Texas 

 the Purple Gallinule nests in the tall grass along the edges of water courses, bending 

 the grass down and weaving it together. Besides its true nest, the bird makes 

 several "shams," often as many as five or six. The nesting season is in May or 

 June. Mr. Arthur T. Wayne informs me that in South Carolina the nest is invariably 

 built in rushes over water. The usual number of eggs laid is eight or nine, but fre- 

 quently more are deposited. The eggs are creani color, finely and rather sparsely 

 dotted with chestnut-brown and umber; rather ellipticcl, c:r.A ir.easure from 1.70 to 

 1.75 long by 1.15 to 1.20 broad. 



219. FLORIDA GALLINULE. Gallinula galeata (Licht.) Geog. Dist.— Tem- 

 perate and tropical America; north to British Provinces. 



Known as the Common Gallinule and Rod-billed Mud Hen. Its center of 

 abundance is in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and it breeds as far north as ^ 

 Massachusetts. Not an uncommon summer resident in Ohio, breeding in the ex- 

 tensive swamps and marshes throughout the State. The nest is usually fastened ~ 

 in the sedges and marsh grass above shallow water, or among the flags. The foun- 

 dation is often made by breaking down the flags, so as to form a little platform, 

 which will, to a certain degree, rise and fall with the water. On this the nest proper 

 is built of the last year's flags. In Florida, where the bird is remarkably abundant, 

 the nest is placed , in the dyer portions of the marshes, among thick reeds and 

 rushes. A set of eight eggs, collected by Dr. Jones near Clrcleville, Ohio, measure 

 1.70x1.20, 1.81x1.18, 1.81x1.17, 1.78x1.23, 1.84x1.25, 1.84x1.22, 1.77x1.24, and 1.83x1.16. 

 The number of eggs laid ranges from seven to thirteen. They are creamy or brown- 

 ish-buff rather thickly spotted and blotched with brown and umber; some of the 

 spots are as small as pin heads; sizes vary from 1.75 to 2.'^0 lorg by 1.20 to 1.30 

 broad ; shaped like an average hen's egg. 



[220.] EUROPEAN COOT. FuUca atra Unn. Geog. Dist.— Northern parts of 

 the Eastern Hemisphere in general; accidental in Greenland. 



