LIMPKIN. 
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island of Cuba and other warm parts of America. In the 
United States, Florida appears to be its most natural residence, 
and a few instances have occurred of its visiting the Middle 
States. The Courlan leads a solitary life, or only associates by 
pairs. By night as well as day it is heard crying out in a loud 
and sonorous voice carau ! and is well entitled to the name of 
the supposed “ crying-bird ” of Bartram. Mollusca, frogs, and 
other aquatic animals are its ordinary food. It is very shy, 
carefully hiding itself ; but when aware of being discovered, it 
starts rapidly to a great elevation, and its flight is long con- 
tinued. It also walks with great agility, but never willingly 
wades into the water. It alights on the summits of trees, and 
builds in the grass, near stagnant water, concealing the nest 
with much art. The young are covered with blackish down 
when hatched, and soon follow their parents. Like the Rail, 
this bird runs swiftly through the grass, compressing its narrow 
body so as to pass through a small hole, and is very difficult to 
catch when wounded. 
This species has been named Limpkin by naturalists, because 
that is the name by which it is known in Florida, — the only State 
the Union in which the bird is found. The name is said to have 
been suggested by the walk of the bird, its movements resembling 
the motions of a lame person. 
In Jamaica it is called the “Clucking Hen,” from its habits of 
sauntering along and deliberately clucking like a fowl. 
Ur. Bryant reported finding a nest containing fifteen eggs ; but 
five or six has been the usual number of the sets taken during 
recent years. 
