‘Distribution.—Breeds from Texas, Louisiana, southern Alabama 
Gsnerel Distritetion , » and South C 
gouth through México and the West Indies to Peru, northern and eastern Argentina and Ble 
Grande do Sul. Migratory in the northern part of its range in the United States. 
Distribution in Guatemala.--Lagoons and marshes of Petdn and the Departments of Vera Pas. 
Becorde:—Lake Petén, January 30, 1947. 
In literature it has been recorded from: lagoons near Lake Petdé 
Vera Paz (Salvin and Godman): Uaxactin, Flores (Yan Tyne), eten and from 
Habits and Bunting.~-Similar to the preceding species, but apparently very few in numbers. 
48. Fulica americana americana Gmelin 
American Coot 
Nam - 
Guatemalan: ga@llareta, gallina de agua 
English: sudhen, waterhen 
e--The coot breeds at some localities in Guatemala, but is most common as a winter 
resident, due to the influx of migrants from farther north. . 
don.—A grayish black, duck-like bird with an ivory white, chicken-like bill and 
lobed toes; iris red; outer under tail coverts white. In flight the white border to the 
hind edge of the wing is conspicuous. 
Voice.--A variety of calls, often loud; cuk, cuk in series, also pulaue, pujaue. 
men oo" 
Male (31) Female (26) 
Wing, 174-202 (190,3) Wing, 171-192 (179.3) 
Tail, 44.5-61 (51.4) Tail, 41-55 (49.0) 
Tarsus, 51-61.5 (56,0) Tarsus, 44-58.5 (53.0) 
Culmen from nostril, 13-16 (14,2) Culmen from nostril, 13-16 (14.2) 
General, Distribution.--Breeds from central British Columbia, southern Mackenzie, central 
Saskatchewan, Ontario, southern Quebec, and New Brunswick south to southern Lower 
California, Tamaulipas, Arkaneas, Tennessee, and New Jersey; breeds also sporadically in 
Florida, southern México, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Winters from the southern half of its 
ca. south to Panam& and the West Indies (at least to the northern Greater 
Antilles}. . 
Distribution in Guatemala.~-Observed chiefly on the large interior lakes and on lagoons 
and marshes of the Pacific coastal plain. 
Records.--Lake Amatitldn, February 28, March 9, 25, and 29, 1946; Lake Atitldn, March 5, 
1942; March 1 and May 1, 1946; April 22 and May 31, 1947; Lake Pino, March 12, 1942; Lake 
Atescatempa, March 15, 1942; April 25-27, 1946; April 19-20, 1947; Lake Retana, March 24, 
1942: Lake Izabal, January 26, 1947; Lake Petén, January 30, 1947. Thies species was 
recorded at many lagoons along the Pacific Coast from Océs eastward to Ahumado on 
January 29, February. 3 and 11, and in April and May, 1947. 
In literature it has been recorded from: Lake Petén, Lake Duefias, Cobdn (Salvin 
and Godman); Amatitldn, Atitldn (Dearborn); San Lucas (Griscom). 
Habits and Hunting.--The coot is of common occurrence on lagoons and other waters. As it 
ig of fair size and relatively easy to shoot, it should be utilized as a game bird to an 
even greater extent than it is. When properly prepared it is well flavored and palatable. 
49, Jacana spinosa spinosa (Linnaeus ) 
Central American Jacana 
Other Names.-—~ 
Guatemalan: ala amarilla, gallito, Jesusito 
57 
