72 BIRDS OF 1‘. E. ISLAND. 
     
    
   
   
    
     frequent the ponds and marshes of the north 
     
     shore, and an odd pair may be found nesting in 
     
     creek bottoms anywhere through the country; 
     
     where, at night, their curious “booming,” or “stake 
     
     driving,” arouses the curiosity or superstition of 
     
     country strollers. It nests in a soft reedy bog, 
     
     and feeds largely on frogs, lizards, and snakes. 
     
     The American Coot, a dark-colored bird the 
     
     size of a ’l‘eal, but distinctly allied to the Rails, 
     
     frequents our sedgy river borders in summer 
     
     time. The nest is built of a mass of dried 
     
     reeds, so as to float on the water. Its sharp- 
     
     pointed bill, \rebless feet, and general appearance 
     
    
   
   
    
     ¢ 
     
    
   
   
    
     win for it the common name of ‘marsh hen.” 
     
    
   
   
    
     MW 
     
    
   
   
    
     gfiamilt) gitzttiha‘. 
     
    
   
   
    
     AM 1‘) RICAN \\'ILl) S\\'AN. 
     
    
   
   
    
     ( ngzr ail/1 III/)2}? 71 115 ) 
     
    
   
   
    
     This magnificent bird but seldom visits our shores, 
     
     its line of migration beingT more inland, probably 
     
    
   
   
    
     up the Hudson River Valley. A specimen was