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FULICA AMERICANA. 
awkwardly, yet it contrives to skulk through the grass 
and reeds with great speed, the compressed form of its 
body, like that of the rail genus, being well adapted to 
the purpose. It swims remarkably well, and, when 
wounded, will dive like a duck. When closely pursued 
in tbe water, it generally takes to the shore, rising with 
apparent reluctance, like a wounded duck, and fluttering 
along the surface with its feet pattering on the water. * 
It is known in Pennsylvania by the name of the mud- 
hen. 
I have never yet discovered that this species breeds 
with us ; though it is highly probable that some few 
may occupy the marshes of the interior, in the vicinity 
of the ponds and lakes, for this purpose : those retired 
situations being well adapted to the hatching and rearing 
of their young. In the Southern States, particularly 
South Carolina, they are well known ; but the Floridas 
appear to be their principal rendezvous for the business 
of incubation. “ The coot,” says William Bartram, 
“ is a native of North America, from Pennsylvania to 
Florida. They inhabit large rivers, fresh water inlets 
or bays, lagoons, &c. where they swim and feed amongst 
the reeds and grass of the shores ; particularly in the 
river St Juan, in East Florida; where they are found 
in immense flocks. They are loquacious and noisy, 
talking to one another night and day ; are constantly 
on the water, the broad lobated membranes on their 
toes enabling them to swim and dive like ducks.” f 
I observed this species to be numerous, during the 
winter, in the fresh water ponds, situated in the vicinity 
of the river St Juan, or St John, in East Florida ; but 
I did not see them in the river. The food which they 
obtain in these places must be very abundant and 
nutritious, as the individuals which I shot were exces- 
sively fat. One male specimen weighed twenty-four 
ounces avoirdupois. They associate with the common 
* In Carolina, they are called Flusterers, from the noise they 
make in flying along the surface of the water. — A Voyage to 
Carolina, by John Lawson, p. 149. 
f Letter from Mr Bartram to the author* 
