386 
ALECTOPJDES. 
ders of the waves, as if to display the exquisite grace of its movements and the 
brilliancy of its colors. Ever on the lookout for any danger that may menace it, at 
the least noise it takes to flight and hides among the rushes. It is only when its 
place of retreat is inaccessible that flight is attempted, its movement in the air being 
heavy, and not well sustained. Its voice is loud and strong, but has in it nothing 
remarkable. Worms, mollusks, and the fruit of various kinds of aquatic plants are 
its food. It gathers seeds and carries them to its beak with its claws, and it also 
makes use of them in clinging to the rushes where the water is very deep. It is 
not often kept in captivity, but when thus confined endures its lot contentedly. Its 
flesh is not considered good. 
In Jamaica this bird is known as the “ Sultana,” and is said by Mr. Gosse to be 
not uncommon in some of the lowland ponds and marshy rivers. This author states 
that once, in riding from Savanna la Mar to Negril, lie saw one of this species walk- 
ing in the middle of the road. On his approach the bird took no more notice of him 
than a Common Fowl would have done, but sauntered about, picking here and there, 
and allowing him to come within three or four feet. At length he made a noise and 
a sudden motion with his hand ; the bird only half opened its wing and gave a little 
start, as a Chicken would have done, but neither flew nor ran. The vast morass in that 
neighborhood abounded with these birds, and their presence in this highway was a 
matter of daily occurrence. Although he did not see another quite so fearless as this 
one, they were all very bold, coming out from the rushes and strolling across the road 
in sight of passers-by. 
lie adds that it has little of the aspect of a Gallinule, but stands higher, and has 
its legs more forward. As it walks, the neck is alternately bridled up or thrown 
forward, and its short black-and-white tail is changed from a semi-erect to a perpen- 
dicular position, with a flirting motion. As this bird walks over the tangled leaves 
and stems of aquatic plants resting on the surface of, water, it moves with great 
deliberation, frequently standing still and looking leisurely on either side. When 
kept in confinement it soon becomes quite tame, and feeds eagerly on the seeds of 
the Holcus sorghum, or Guinea corn. It is sometimes spoken of as the “ Plantain 
Coot,” from its fondness for that fruit, and the “Carpenter Coot,” from the noise the 
bird makes when it breaks the shells of water-snails against pieces of timber, which 
is supposed to resemble that of a carpenter at work. 
On the Mississippi, according to Audubon, this species is rarely found above 
Memphis, and even there it is rare; but between Natchez and the mouth of the river 
it is decidedly abundant. As soon as its young are hatched, it retires with them to 
the tall grass of the savannas bordering the lakes and bayous, where it remains 
until September ; and at this time it has a delicate whistling note, resembling that 
of the Blue-winged Teal. At the approach of winter this bird returns to the borders 
of ponds and rivers, and becomes more shy and vigilant, usually moving in the night- 
time and feeding by day. It breeds at a remarkably early period of the year — ac- 
cording to Audubon, as early as February. The calls of the parent bird to its young 
are almost incessant during the entire night, and are elicited by any unusual noise ; 
indeed, so intent is it on the welfare of its progeny, that it will allow itself to be 
caught while thus occupied. 
The nest, according to Audubon’s observations, is generally placed among a species 
of rush which is green at all seasons, round, very pithy, rarely more than five feet 
high, and which grows along the margins of ponds. The birds gather many of these 
rushes, fastening them at the height of two or three feet, and placing the nest upon 
them. This is built of the finest rushes, both green and withered, and is quite as loosely 
