290 GREAT MARBLED GODWIT.
webs of the three first quills, those of the other primaries, and both webs
of the secondaries, reddish-ochre, all more or less mottled with dusky, and
the primaries of that colour towards the end, but with the terminal margins
whitish ; the inner secondaries barred like the back, as are the tailfeathers.
Breast, abdomen, and lower surface of wings, light reddishyellow,
the axillar feathers of a deeper tint, the sides faintly barred with
dusky.
Length to end of tail 18^ inches, to end of wings 19<j, to end of claws
21; wing from flexure 9 ; tail 3|-; bill along the ridge 4-^, along the
edge of lower mandible 4 ^ ; bare part of tibia 1 T
7
3 ; tarsus 2|§ ; middle
toe 1T
8
2 , its claw
Adult Female. Plate CCXXXVIII. Fig. 2.
The Female is considerably larger than the male, but is similar in colouring,
the lower parts of a less bright buff.
Length to end of tail 20^ inches, to end of wings 21 £ ; bill 5.
The inner edge of the middle claw is usually broken, which is a common
circumstance in birds that have it very thin, but there are no regular
serratures or notches upon it.
( 2*91 )
THE AMERICAN COOT.
FULICA AMERICANA, GMEL.
P L A T E C C X X X I X . MALE.
FROM November until the middle of April, the Coots are extremely
numerous in the southern parts of the Floridas, and the lower portions
of Louisiana. At that season they are seen in flocks of several hundreds,
following their avocations on all the secluded bayous, grassy lakes,
and inlets, which are so plentiful in those countries ; but after the period
above mentioned none remain, and therefore it is certain none can breed
there, although such is asserted by Mr BARTRAM, who no doubt mistook
the Common Gallinule for the Coot, that bird breeding in those places in
considerable numbers. During the month of September, the Coot is
also abundant on all the western waters, and its appearance in those districts
being so much earlier than in the Floridas, is a sure indication of
the inland course of its migrations. On the sea coast, in fact, it is comparatively
rare.
Although the curious form of their feet, and the situation of their
legs, might induce one to suppose these birds incapable of moving on land
with ease, experience proves the contrary, for they not only walk with
freedom, but can run with great speed when necessary. They are accustomed
to leave the water too, and resort to open lands on the margins
of streams and lakes, for the purpose of feeding, both in the morning and
in the evening. While ascending the Mississippi, being about fifty miles
above New Orleans, on the 21st of March 1822, the weather cloudy, I
had the pleasure of seeing about six or seven hundreds of these birds
feeding on the grass of a savannah bordering the river. I took them while
at some distance, for a great flock of Guinea Fowls. Their movements
were brisk, they often struck at each other in the manner of the domestic
fowl, and ran with surprising celerity. As I approached nearer, I plainly
saw them nibble the tender grass, in the same manner as poultry; and
having found a place of concealment behind a rise of the ground, I laid
myself flat, and observed their motions at leisure ; but during twenty minutes
spent in that situation, I did not hear a single note from the flock.
I fired among them, and killed five, on which the rest, after running a
T 2