Note 276 — VI. BIRD CALENDAR FOR THE REGION OF THE MANDAN VILLAGES, IN THE WINTER OF 1833-34[274]

Fulica americana is different from atra. This is shown more clearly in Wilson's description than in that of Audubon. The latter's description of the bill of the American bird does not agree with my observation; I have always found it uniformly colored, as Wilson describes it. I found no birds of the genus Fulica in Brazil; consequently D'Orbigny (see De la Sagra, Hist. Nat. de l'Isle de Cuba, ornith., p. 273) is in error when he says that Fulica atra was seen by me in Brazil. In North America I frequently found a similar bird, as has been said; but I cannot regard it as identical with the European. Regarding the Fulica observed by D'Orbigny in South America I can give no opinion, as I saw none myself.—Maximilian.

Comment by Ed. The references are to: Alexander Wilson, American Ornithology (Philadelphia, 1801-14, 9 vols.); John James Audubon, Ornithological Biography (Edinburgh, 1831-39, 5 vols.), forming the text to his Birds of America (London, 1827-38, 4 vols.); and to Histoire physique, politique et naturelle de l'Isle de Cuba; par M. Ramon de la Sagra ... Ornithologie par Alcide d'Orbigny (Paris, 1839, 1 vol. and atlas). Alcide Dessalines d'Orbigny was a French naturalist who spent several years in South America, collecting natural history specimens. An account of his journey is given in his Voyages dans l'Amerique meridionale (Paris, 1834-47, 9 vols.); he also published other works.