40 
THE B1HDS OF WISCONSIN. 
been made, especially as Dr. Hoy's list of 1852, from the same 
locality, does not include it. Dr. Hoy procured it later, 
however, at Racine, and we once handled a specimen said to 
have been shot north of Milwaukee, about 1S(>(>. One other 
specimen was also sent to Thure Kumlien in a decomposed 
condition at an early day, some time in the fifties. This speci- 
men was killed near Janesville. and there can be no doubt as 
to its authenticity. There are also two or more other records 
about which there is suspicion. We once purchased a speci- 
men labeled "Wis.," but could trace it no farther, and believe 
the locality may possibly have been substituted to suit the 
occasion. 
<.:i II inula jjaleata (Licht.). FLORIDA GALLIM LE. 
A common summer resident as far as the north central 
portion of the state, and in less numbers to the shore of Lake 
Superior. Has apparently increased in numbers during the 
past thirty years, at least locally. W T e have reared the young of 
this species and the next a number of times, setting the eggs 
under a hen and feeding the chicks on baked cake, composed 
of cornmeal, oatmeal, bran and beef. An excellent table bird, 
and a very interesting species whose life history we think is 
but imperfectly known, and worthy of the closest investigation. 
We have found as high as seventeen eggs in one nest, although 
ten to fourteen is the common number. As soon as the first 
eggs are deposited incubation begins, the sun doing the work 
by day and the female parent by night. The first hatched 
young are thus two weeks old ofttimes before the last egg is 
hatched. The young as fast as hatched are cared for by the 
male, but are to a certain extent competent to care for 
themselves very soon. A ventriloquist of extraordinary 
powers. 
Puliea americana Gmel. AMERICAN COOT. 
Very abundant spring and fall migrant on all the lakes and 
larger rivers. A breeding species in considerable numbers 
anywhere in the state, but by far the greater number pass 
beyond our borders to nest. Xests in similar localities to the 
preceding, but is otherwise very different in its habits, the coot 
frequenting open water like a duck, while the gallinule, rail- 
like, seeks the cover of grass or rushes. Arrives early and 
remains until the lakes freeze over. Apparently has not 
decreased in numbers during the past thirty years. This bird 
is very liable to become bewildered during its nocturnal 
