V. GULLION 1950 Fulica americana 305 Apr 14th Jewel Lake 510ft. Contra Costa Co., Calif. Cat-tails. It is a very small, compact nest, somewhat elevated above the water. The ♂ had been on it, left as I approached at P26. When I got close to the nest, he churned, “purked” and gave a note somewhat like that growl but not the same. The female showed some interest in the nest but never seemed to be as fully concerned as the ♂. The ♂ left the nest at about 5:45 pm, it is now 6:15 and he is still off. He has approached it at least 6 times, with neck graning, but not going in. Twice he purred the female pecking at her until she dried, once he charged from P26 to G18 but did nothing except song rowse a couple of “purks” from the ♂ at C15. At 6:18 he was out of sight for over a minute in the reeds, but came out, now 6:20 he is bedding back. Once the ♀ climbed onto some floating cat-tail at N27.5 - he went over, purked a few times and mounted her. I doubt if they copulated. He fell off and she pecked at him a couple of times. Then stood up and fanned his wings. After that he went over to the nest area at 6:18. At 6:25, he is over there again, still crouning but not on. I hope they are not going to desert this nest.