The Florida Gallinule {GaiUnuia gaUata) 



By W. Leon Dawson 



Description. — Adult: Frontal shield and bill bright red, the latter tipped 

 with greenish yellow; general plumage blackish slate; above heavily overlaid 

 with olive-brown on back and scapulars ; edges of wings and lateral and posterior 

 under tail-coverts white ; a few flank feathers narrowly striped with white ; feet 

 greenish; tibiae red. In winter specimens the frontal shield is narrower and the 

 feathers of the belly more or less white-tipped. Immature: Similar to winter 

 adult, but frontal shield reduced ; bill brownish, yellow-tipped ; feathers of lower 

 parts more extensively white-tipped. Downy yoimg: "Glossy black, the lower 

 parts sooty along the median line; throat and cheeks interspersed with silvery- 

 white hairs" (Ridgway). Length 13.75 (349.3); wing 6.50-7.25 (165.1-184.2); 

 tail about 2.75 (69.9); bill (to frontal shield) 1.26 (32.); tarsus 2.20 (55.9); 

 middle toe and claw 3.20 (81.3). 



Recognition Marks. — Little Hawk size; nearly uniform slaty coloration; 

 bright red bill and frontal shield distinctive. 



Nest, a platform of dried reeds and grasses raised above surrounding mud 

 and water of swamp. Eggs, 6-13, usually 8 or 9, buff or brownish buff, sparingly 

 speckled and spotted or blotched with reddish brown, never (?) black. Av. size, 

 1.77x1.22 (45.X30.9). 



General Range. — Temperate and tropical America from Canada to Brazil 

 and Chili. 



GALLINULA — literally, little hen, — is the connecting Hnk between ducks 

 and chickens. On the one hand she swims freely and dives readily to escape a 

 pursuer, moving upon the surface of the water rather daintily, nodding the head 

 and perking the tail with each stroke, as if she were working her passage. When 

 under the water the bird makes all speed to shelter, where, if sore pressed, she 

 is said to cling to the submerged stems of water plants, protruding only the 

 nostrils for air. On the other hand the water-hen moves nimbly through the 

 reeds and walks upon the lily pads, or ranges the grass on the dry borders of the 

 swamp. The resemblance to the domestic fowl is further heightened by its 

 occasional appearance among them during migrations. Says Dr. Jones : "'The 

 Florida Gallinule is in many respects a curious bird. It occasionally is found 

 during its periods of migration in open fields away from the water or even in the 

 barn yard. Some years ago a gentleman in Circleville found one walking about 

 among his chickens. To him it was a new and strange bird and he concluded to 

 capture it and see where it was hurt. He at once gave chase and soon caught it, 

 but a careful examination failed to reveal a wound. I saw the bird later in the 

 day walking about his yard. It seemed as tame as the chickens and perfectly con- 

 tented. On the flat hard ground it moved about awkwardly, often stepping with 

 one foot upon the toes of the other, an accident w^hich seriously affected the grace 

 of its movements. The gentleman could not be persuaded that the bird was not 



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