FLORIDA GALLINULE. 517 
that moult twice in a year do not change their colours in 
moulting. 
All these birds have very similar habits: they are all soli- 
tary ; all fond of concealment and the immediate neighbour- 
hood of water: they move nimbly about on marsh plants, 
walking on the softest mud, and even floating weeds, their 
characteristic long toes serving admirably the purpose of a 
broad base, Their food is small animals, seeds and vegetables. 
They are monogamous, and breed several times in the year: 
they build their nests on, or close to the water, some being 
even afloat, and therefore liable to be carried away in floods. 
The number of eggs varies from five to sixteen, and they are 
rounded : both sexes alternately sit upon them. The young 
run about under the parental care, and provide for themselves 
as soon as hatched; they aré remarkably brisk and lively, 
being born with a thick down of a beautiful velvet black 
colour, whatever else it may finally become. Those that migrate 
travel by night: owing to their short rounded wings, composed 
of flaccid feathers, their flight is slow and limited, and by no 
means rapid, so that they only have recourse to it in the last 
extremity, when it is performed with the legs hanging down 
in a way peculiar to themselves, and not stretched out as in 
the other waders, or drawn up to the belly as in the generality 
of birds. It is in running that they excel, and with their long 
compressed body they make their way so adroitly and swiftly 
amongst the grass or weeds, that their pursuers are left far 
behind. They also swim well, and even dive occasionally 
when there is necessity for it. ‘Their flight is, however, rapid 
when elevated and fairly started. Their voice is strong but 
hoarse. ‘Their flesh is well flavoured. 
