GRALL.E — RALLID.E — RALLUS. 259 



THE SALTWATER MEADOW-HEN. 



Rallus crepitans, 

 plate xcix. fig. 222. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Rallus crepitans, Gsi. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 7, p. 112. 



Clapper Rail. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 201. 



R. crepitans. Adddbon, B. of A. Vol. 5, p. 165, pi. 310. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 206. 



Characteristics. Bluish grey, margined with olive-brown ; beneath rufous or ash. Wing- 

 coverts and quills brown. Young, ash; beneath whitish. Length, 14*0. 



Description. Bill compressed, acute at tip, slightly curved from the middle, 2' 2 long 

 measured from above ; the upper mandible at the base almost continuous with the outline of 

 the head : a slight notch near the tip. The first and eighth quills nearly equal in length. Tarsus 

 1*8 long ; naked space on the tibia 0'5. Tail rounded, with rather acuminate feathers. 



Color. Above brownish, intermixed with ash and rufous. Quills plain rufous brown : 

 ridge of the wings white. Sides of the face varying from slate to dark olive-green : line over 

 and around the eye, chin, and upper part of the throat white ondull grey. Sides of the neck 

 tinged with reddish ; breast rufous and grey. Axillaries, under wing-coverts, flanks, thighs 

 and lateral lower tail-coverts olive-brown barred with white. Bill and feet yellowish brown. 



Length, 13*5- 15-0. 

 F The Clapper Rail, Mud-hen, or Meadow-hen, appears along the shores of this State about 

 the latter end of April, and, after raising its brood, departs for the South in October. It lays 

 from 8-15 dull whitish eggs, sparingly spotted with reddish brown towards the larger end. 

 These eggs are highly prized, and are sought for with great avidity. The Mud-hen is very 

 abundant during the season, and, according to Mr. Linsley, breeds extensively along the 

 shores of Connecticut. They are not found in the interior, and are winter residents from 

 Carolina southwardly. Its hitherto ascertained geographical range is from 24° to 41° '10 

 north. 



Two very distinct species have been for a long time given by Wilson under the name of 

 crepitans. In his Ornithology, he has given a faithful description of this species, but his 

 plate represents another. We are indebted to Messrs. Bachman and Audubon for having 

 pointed out the differences between them. 



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