Joseph,

The gallinule is pretty solid blue on the neck.  You may have been looking
at a Green Heron, which would account for the rufous neck and yellow legs.
There were many Green Herons there on tuesday.

Stan Arnold
Glen Burnie



----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph F Gantt" <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 2:47 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Purple Gallinule at Oxbow Lake - maybe


Yesterday, I tried for the PURPLE GALLINULE at Oxbow Lake from about 6:30 AM
to 8:50 AM. At 7:35 AM (from the 'overlook' at the end of the path), I
briefly glimpsed a bird (through both binoculars and scope) which appeared
to be a gallinule, but I have doubts about what it may have actually been.

The bird was observed preening itself from a perch on a small stump in the
middle of the lake about 150 yds. out while facing the overlook in direct
sunlight. It was clearly the size and shape of a gallinule (including the
head and bill), and it had bright yellow legs. The reason that I am not sure
if it was an adult gallinule is that the neck appeared to be somewhat rufous
rather than purple.

Only reporting this in response to Phil's request.

Joseph Gantt