Unusual Behavior of the Florida Gallinule
Unusual Behavior of the Florida Gallinule
At Lindo Lake, Lakeside, San Diego County, California, I was fortunate in observing some peculiar actions of the Florida Gallinule (Galinula chloropus). On April 6, 1940, one was noticed paddling among the tules. It was frightened and hid iti the thick growth, when I tried to show it to my companion. Soon after we moved away it showed itself on the other side of the narrow neck of water.
A Dr. Beale and his party from San Diego arrived and we searched the area for the bird, without locating it. When we returned to the car, the gallinule appeared on the shore and, as we watched, proceeded to climb a willow tree to a height of about twenty feet. The wings were used only slightly to assist in balancing as the bird walked up the sloping trunk. The gallinule stayed on the trunk or large branches. Another bird came out of the tules and followed the first up the tree. Both gallinules remained in the tree about five minutes, apparently feeding on the willow catkins. An effort was made to photograph them, but the tree was too dense. One bird flew down into the reeds, and the other was flushed by throwing a stick. Both hid again and were seen no more. No notes were heard during the entire episode.
James G. Peterson
Descanso, California, November 1, 1940
