258 NEW- YORK FAUNA BIRDS. 



with chesnut, and broadly tipped with brown. A narrow interrupted line of black extends 

 from the base of the bill to the eye. Beneath, the chin and sides of the face bluish grey. 

 Middle of the abdomen pale rufous ; flanks of a deeper color : axillaries salmon-colored. 



Length, 10-5-ll*5. 



This well known and highly prized bird appears in this State from the south early in 

 March, and remains with us until January, although many pass on to higher latitudes. My 

 venerable friend Mr. I. Cozzens informs me, that as late as 1814, it was abundant in many 

 places on the island of Manhattan, which are now entirely covered with houses. It breeds 

 in every part of the State ; the eggs are usually four in number, dull yellowish irregularly 

 blotched with reddish brown. Its food consists chiefly of earth-worms and aquatic insects. 

 In some parts of the State, it is known under the name of Blind Snipe ; but for what reason, 

 I have not been able to discover. It habitually inhabits swamps and miry places, but in wet 

 seasons it may be found on high grounds. It resembles considerably the European Wood- 

 cock, but is smaller, and the lower parts are plain, without the black bars. It is unfortu- 

 nately one of the very few birds protected by law : they are not allowed to be exposed for 

 sale until after the first of July. Distributed through the interior, and ranges from 26° to 

 52° north latitude. A winter resident in the Southern States. 



FAMILY RALLIBM. 



Bill short or moderate, hard, thick at the base, curved at the point ; in some, very stout and 

 much compressed. Head small. Body slender, much compressed. Legs moderate ; a 

 small portion of the tibia naked. Toes four, very long, divided, edged by a membrane. 

 Third or fourth quill longest. Tail short, of twelve feathers. 



Obs. This family, which corresponds with the Macrodactyli of Vieillot, Cuvier and others, 

 comprises about sixty species, distributed over the globe. Of these, ten are known in North 

 America, and seven are found in this State. 



GENUS RALLUS. Linnaeus. Illiger. 



Bill longer than the head, slender, nearly straight, subequal throughout, compressed at the 

 base, cylindrical and obtuse at the point : upper mandible furrowed beyond the middle. 

 Nostrils sub-basal, lnrear. Tail short, somewhat pointed, upturned, concealed beneath 

 the tail-coverts. 



