Florida Gallinule. 
This handsome bird is abundant all 
along the Seneca river marshes in this State. 
With us it is known as “ The Water Hen.” 
They arrive early in May, and are soon ob- 
served in large numbers strutting, like 
roosters, about the “ Wash.” (a local name 
here given to an overflowed marsh when 
but the tops of the old flagg appear above 
the surface of the water.) This is the time 
of the year for the collector who wish- 
es to procure specimens for the cabinet, 
as they are in perfect plumage and quite 
easily procured. A boat can readily be 
propelled through this “ mash,” a too near 
approach of which causes some of the 
birds to take wing, others to dive. They 
remain beneath the surface long enough 
for the boat to approach within easy 
shooting range. Then all the collector 
has to do is to “ keep his eye peeled” and 
drop them one by one as they break 
water. They seem to be in full flight the 
instant they reappear. Often are they 
observed to rush out of the water, as it 
were, within a foot of the boat. Although 
rarely exhibited in our markets for sale, 
the gunners along the river prefer them 
to duck for the table. They are an ex- 
ceedingly social species ; more or less 
noisy at all times. They make the marshes 
lively during the breeding season, at 
which time they extend their jollification 
far into the night accompanied, at inter, 
vals, by the somewhat ludicrous notes of 
the Carolina Grebe and the rattle of the 
Marsh Wren. They commence to build 
about the last week in May, although nests 
are found at this date with eggs. The 
second week in .June is the harvest time 
for the oologist. From notes taken June 
1, 1881, while collecting in this marsh 
with Mr. S. F. Bathbun, of this place, I 
quote a description of three from six 
found to illustrate different modes of 
building. No. 1, on the ground, well 
raised from mud and water by the broad, 
middle portion of the old flag piled cross- 
wise to the height of eighteen inches. 
No. 2, three feet above the water, in the 
shape of a platform, after the manner of 
the Least Bitterns. No. 3, five and one- 
half feet from the water by weaving the tops 
of the flags together so compactly as to 
prevent swaying in the wind. 
So far as my observations of the breed- 
ing habits of the Florida Gallinule ex- 
tend, I am inclined to believe they natu- 
rally prefer the ground on which to build, 
as there seems to be the majority of nests ; 
and when they select a site towards the 
water, they build a nest high, in propor- 
tion as the depth of the water increases. 
Now, if this holds good as a rule, what is 
the cause of this variation in building ’? — 
Frank S. Wriqjit, Auburn , N.Y. 
O. & 0. VII. aepOBP . 2 . p. /S* ■ /t * 
