602 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEW JERSEY. 



it is seldom they are thus abundant. Have been known to 

 remain during the winter, but this is probably an exceptional 

 case." 



PORZANA, Vieill. 

 P. Carolina, L. Rail. Sora. Ortolan. 



Bill straight, shorter than head ; flanks barred with white and 

 slate; neck to breast leaden, without spots; throat, &c., black; 

 top of head olive brown, with median black stripe ; back streaked ; 

 belly barred. Length, 9 inches ; tail, 2 inches. 



" Much tendency appears to exist among people generally to 

 enshroud this common bird with mystery, when in reality there 

 is nothing very strange about it. Very many make their appear- 

 ance along the Delaware early in May, and remain quietly in the 

 meadows (unlocked for, and therefore unnoticed) until August, 

 when they go in large numbers to the reeds on the flats, and 

 remain there till the appearance of several severe frosts. It is 

 not true that they suddenly and wholly disappear on the first ap- 

 pearance of frost. The ' rail ' is a bird of very strong powers of 

 flight, and migrates, flying for a great distance without requiring 

 rest. As we have stated, many appear early in May, and these 

 breed, building a nest of grass, in long grass, raising two broods. 

 In August they congregate along water-courses, and the number 

 annually hatched in May and June along the Delaware meadows 

 is fully sufficient to explain the origin of the incredible numbers 

 usually killed on the Delaware in September. Being a bird also 

 of great locomotive powers, it is not improbable that the sudden 

 accession to their numbers which has been noticed, should simply 

 be a ' batch ' from a neighboring river." 



P. jamaicencis, Gmel. Little Black Rail. 



Head and lower parts dark slate ; belly browni?h black, barred 

 with white; back dark brown, speckled with white. Length, 

 5rr inches. 



" Its habits are very similar to the ' sora,' and is about as 

 abundant as the 'yellow rail.' Have not found it breeding in 

 the State, although it very probably does so." 



P. noveboracencis, Gmel. Yellow Rail. 



Head and breast, inclusive, ochraceous ; flanks dusky, barred 

 with white ; under tail coverts cinnamon ; secondaries white ; 



