182 
SCOLOPACEOUS COURLAN. 
such times these birds are easily shot ; but if they are only wounded, it 
would be vain to pursue them. Although of considerable size and weight, 
they are enabled by the great length and expansion of their toes, to walk 
on the broad leaves of the larger species of Nymphma found in that country. 
They swim with the same buoyancy as the Coots, Gallinules, and Rails. 
The nest of this bird is placed among the larger tufts of the tallest grasses 
that grow at short distances from the bayous, many of which are influenced 
by the low tides of the Gulf. It is so well fastened to the stems of the 
plants, in the same manner as that of Rallus crepitans , as to be generally 
secure from inundation ; and is composed of rank weeds matted together, and 
forming a large mass, with a depression in the centre. The eggs, which 
rarely exceed five or six, are large for the size of the bird. The young are 
hatched early in May, and follow their parents soon after their birth, being 
covered with coarse tufty feathers, of a black colour. 
The Everglades abound with a species of large greenish snail, on which 
these birds principally feed ; and, from the great number of empty shells 
which are found at the foot of the nest and around it, it is probable that the 
sitting bird is supplied with food by her mate. Their notes, when uttered 
while they are on wing, are a sort of cackle, but when on the ground, much 
louder, especially during the pairing season, or when they are started by the 
report of a gun. The flesh of the young is pretty good eating. Although 
it is alleged that this bird occasionally alights on trees, I have never seen it 
in such a situation. 
Aramus scolopaceus, Bonap. Syn., p. 39. 
Scolopaceous Courlan, Aramus scolopaceus , Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. iv. p. 111. 
Scolopaceous Courlan, Aramus scolopaceus, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 68. 
Scolopaceous Courlan, Aramus scolopaceus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 543. 
Male, 251, 41. Female, 25, 42. Young, 28. 
Confined to the Everglades and central parts of Florida, where it is 
resident, but rather rare. Accidental on the Florida Keys. 
Adult Male. 
Bill long, being double the length of the head, rather slender, but strong, 
much compressed, straight, its breadth less before the nostrils than towards 
the point ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight until towards the 
end, then slightly arcuato-declinate, the ridge convex in its whole length, 
the sides nearly erect, more convex towards the extremity, the tip blunted, 
the edges broad and obtuse for half their length, sharp but thick in the rest 
of their extent ; lower mandible slightly ascending at the base, then direct, 
much compressed towards the tip, which is acute, the angle long and very 
