182 SCOLOPACEOUS COURLAN. 



such times these birds are easily shot; but if they are only wounded, it 

 would be vain to pursue them. Although of considerable size and weight, 

 they are enabled, by the great length and expansion of their toes, to walk 

 on the broad leaves of the larger species of Nymphsea found in that country. 

 They swim with the same buoyancy as the Coots, Gallinules, and Rails. 



The nest of this bird is placed among the larger tufts of the tallest grasses 

 that grow at short distances from the bayous, many of which are influenced 

 by the low tides of the Gulf. It is so well fastened to the stems of the 

 plants, in the same manner as that of Rallus crepitans, as to be generally 

 secure from inundation; and is composed of rank weeds matted together, and 

 forming a large mass, with a depression in the centre. The eggs, which 

 rarely exceed five or six, are large for the size of the bird. The young are 

 hatched early in May, and follow their parents soon after birth, being 

 covered with coarse tufty feathers, of a black colour. 



The Everglades abound with a species of large greenish snail, on which 

 these birds principally feed; and, from the great number of empty shells 

 which are found at the foot of the nest and around it, it is probable that the 

 sitting bird is supplied with food by her mate. Their notes, when uttered 

 while they are on wing, are a sort of cackle, but when on the ground, much 

 louder, especially during the pairing season, or when they are started by the 

 report of a gun. The flesh of the young is pretty good eating. Although 

 it is alleged that this bird occasionally alights on trees, I have never seen it 

 in such a situation. 



Aramus scolopaceus, Bonap. Syn., p. 39. 



Scolopaceous Codrlan, Aramus scolopaceus, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. iv. p. 111. 

 Scolopaceous Courlan, Aramus scolopaceus, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 68. 

 Scolopaceous Codrlan, Aramus scolopaceus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 543. 



Male, 25f, 41. Female, 25, 42. Young, 23. 



Confined to the Everglades and central parts of Florida, where it is 

 resident, but rather rare. Accidental on the Florida Keys. 



Adult Male. 



Bill long, being double the length of the head, rather slender, but strong, 

 much compressed, straight, its breadth less before the nostrils than towards 

 the point; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight until towards the 

 end, then slightly arcuato-declinate, the ridge convex in its whole length, 

 the sides nearly erect, more convex towards the extremity, the tip blunted, 

 the edges broad and obtuse for half their length, sharp but thick in the rest 

 of their extent; lower mandible slightly ascending at the base, then direct, 

 much compressed towards the tip, which is acute, the angle long and very 



