FLORIDA GALLINULE. 
203 
from the vicinity of the pools and streams to the interior of the 
savannas ; but towards autumn they return again to the margins, and 
at this later season they became shy and more vigilant. 
These birds partake of a variety of food, their favorite diet being 
a mixture of water-snails and plantains. 
FLORIDA GALLINULE. 
COMMON GALLINULE. RED-BILLED MUD HEN. WATER HEN. 
Gallinula galeata. 
Chak. Uniform grayish black, the back tinged with olive brown, the 
belly paler than the breast; flanks striped with white ; bill and frontal 
shield bright red, the bill tipped with yellow; legs greenish. Length 
about r3% inches. 
Nest. In a swamp or marsh, — a bulky and clumsily arranged affair of 
reeds or flags scantily lined with coarse grass. The nest is sometimes 
placed on a platform made by bending down the tops of the surrounding 
flags or rushes, or it is fastened to the stems of the flags or to the 
branches of a bush. Occasionally a nest is found suspended over the 
water upon which it floats as the tide rises, but usually the chosen situa- 
tion is on a dry knoll. 
Eggs. 7-13 ; ground color varies from brownish buff to creamy, spotted 
with dark brown ; size variable, average about 1.85 X i.eS- 
This species of Gallinule, so closely related to that of Europe, 
is common in Florida, in the Antilles, in Jamaica, Guadaloupe, 
and the isle of Aves, where it has to dispense with the use 
of fresh water. It is seen frequenting pools, lagoons, and 
streams, and extends over a great portion of the continent of 
South .America. In the Middle and Northern States of the 
Union it appears to be quite accidental, though as a straggler 
it has been seen and shot as far north as Albany, in the State 
of New York. Its range to the north is therefore much more 
limited than its European analogue. Its voice is uncouth, but 
sonorous, and its cry or call resembles 'ka, 'ka, 'ka ! Mr. 
Audubon met with this species in great numbers in Florida 
towards the source of the St. John’s in the month of March. 
This species is unknown in Canada or the northern parts of 
-America. 
