390 
ALECTORIDES. 
and Mr. Gosse call it the Scarlet-fronted Gallinule. It is common in Jamaica, and 
nests in January, and even earlier. In February Mr. March obtained unfledged young 
in a pond near Spanishtown. It is said to lay eight eggs, and these are described as 
having a clayish-white ground splashed sparsely with small spots of sepia-brown. By 
contact with the damp nest the ground-color is not infrequently changed to different 
shades of drab. Major Wedderburn found it breeding and not uncommon in Bermuda, 
and obtained a number of specimens during his stay. Mr. Hurdis speaks of it as one 
of the native birds of the Bermudas, rearing its young in pools and swamps, where the 
dense growth of Hags and sedge renders its pursuit almost impossible. It is more 
common in October than at any other time, appearing all at once in marshes and 
ponds, where for months previously it had been unknown — owing, probably, to an 
influx of migratory individuals from the American shore. 
It is said by Leotaud to be quite common in Trinidad, where both in its abode and 
in its manners it does not appear to be different from the mcirtinica, though a much 
more social bird than the latter. It hides itself in the rushes or takes to flight at the 
least danger, sometimes seeking shelter in the branches of the mangrove-trees which 
overhang the water. It can run among these branches with astonishing rapidity, 
occasionally extending its wings, as if to preserve its equilibrium or to avoid losing 
its footing. Its flight, which is almost always accompanied by a harsh cry, is heavy 
and not well sustained, being apparently retarded by its claws, which are always 
hanging down. Its flesh is eaten, but is not regarded as good. 
Mr. G. C. Taylor met with this species at the Lake of Yojoye, and has no doubt 
that it is common throughout Honduras ; and Mr. Salvin names it as among the birds 
which frequent the Lake of Duenas, Guatemala — where, however, it is not common. 
It is an occasional visitant along the Atlantic coast, as far to the eastward, at least, 
as Calais ; and a few occasionally breed in Massachusetts. Mr. George A. Boardman 
obtained a single specimen of this bird near Calais, Me., in the spring of 1871. An 
immature example of this species was shot at Fresh Pond, Mass., Sept. 3, 1868, and 
two other individuals were seen. The specimen obtained had without doubt been 
hatched in that locality. On the 9th of October, in the same year, Mr. Brewster shot 
another example, and wounded a third in the same place. He also met with an adult 
bird there on the 3d of June. It is more than probable that straggling pairs of this 
bird occur in favorable situations in Massachusetts and breed there. 
Giraud speaks of this species as a bird seldom observed on Long Island, a few only 
having been known to occur on its south shore, while one example is recorded as hav- 
ing been taken on Staten Island. Mr. Giraud refers to information received by letter 
from Professor Baird to the effect that this bird has been occasionally observed on 
the Susquehanna River and its tributaries, where it was usually noticed in the vicinity 
of fresh-water streams and ponds. It appeared to be exceedingly timid, to conceal 
itself among the rank grass, and, like the Rails, seldom to take wing except when 
performing its migratory flight. When surprised it runs nimbly, and if hard pressed 
takes to the water and swims and dives well. Its food consists of worms, insects, 
and various vegetable productions which grow in low wet grounds. It was found 
abundant by Dr. Bannister on the Parana, among the reeds of the lagoons. 
Mr. Ridgway frequently met with it at Sacramento, in the tule sloughs, in company 
with the Coot, and mingling its own guttural noises with the clucking, boisterous 
notes of the latter species. In the interior it was not seen, although the Coot was 
abundant in all the large marshes. According to Dr. Heermannthis species is not rare 
in the marshes in the interior of California, and Dr. Newberry mentions finding it at 
San Francisco. Dr. Cooper did not meet with it near the sea-coast. 
