. Birds that hunt and are hunted : life histories of one hundred and seventy birds of prey, game birds and water-fowls . s are birds of thetropics; but this so-called Florida species crosses the Canadianborders in no small numbers every summer, and nests are alsoconstantly reported in our northern and middle states. Thetruth probably is that the range of the Florida gallinule has notextended, but that within the last half century a hundred birdstudents scour our woods, meadows, and marshes for everyenthusiast that tramped over them fifty years ago; and we arejust becoming thoroughly acquainted
. Birds that hunt and are hunted : life histories of one hundred and seventy birds of prey, game birds and water-fowls . s are birds of thetropics; but this so-called Florida species crosses the Canadianborders in no small numbers every summer, and nests are alsoconstantly reported in our northern and middle states. Thetruth probably is that the range of the Florida gallinule has notextended, but that within the last half century a hundred birdstudents scour our woods, meadows, and marshes for everyenthusiast that tramped over them fifty years ago; and we arejust becoming thoroughly acquainted with many of our birdswhen the gunners, milliners, cats, and other fatal accompanimentsof a civilization that in many respects is still barbaric, threaten toexterminate the sadly decreased numbers left us to enjoy. Gallinules, although wild, shy, and timid creatures, or theywould be no kin of the rails, wade more than they and swimexpertly. It is amusing to watch their heads bob in rhythmwith their feet as they rest lightly on the water. In brackishpools rather than salt ones, and preferably around fresh water 184. PURPLE GALLINULE. Rails, Gallinules, Coots lakes and meadow brooks, they keep well concealed among thesedges while the sun is high or when danger threatens, comingboldly out to feed on the mud flats at dusk, or when they thinkthemselves unobserved. Apparently they tolerate other galli-nules society only if they must. Quarrels arising from jealousiesover an infringement of territorial rights frequently occur. A gallinule strides from its grassy screen with grace andelegance, curling its toes when it lifts its large foot, as if it hadtaken a course of Delsarte exercises. Wading into the shallowpool, still curling its long toes before plunging its foot down-ward, and tipping its tail at every step, showing the whitefeathers below it, the bird strides along, close to the shore, stop-ping from time to time to nip the grasses and seeds on the bank,or to secure some bit of
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1902
