490 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol.90 



Family RALLIDAE 



RALLUS LONGIROSTRIS WAYNEI Brewster: Wayne's Clapper Rail 



Two adult females were taken near Southport on May 17 and 18. 

 It is currently recognized that the coast of North Carolina marksl 

 the transition point between the northern clapper rail {Rallus I. 

 crepitans) and the bird of the southeastern coast (waynei). Ober- 

 holser * records specimens from as far south as Beaufort as crepitans, 

 remarking that they are intermediate. The two from Southport 

 mark the entrance into the State of the more southern race, as they 

 are definitely darker than northern specimens. 



RALLUS LIMICOLA LIMICOLA Vieillot: Virsrinia Rail 



In fall migration this rail was seen 4 miles west of Manns Harbor 

 on October 25, near Stumpy Point on October 26 (female taken) and 

 27, and near Leechville, in Hyde County, on October 26. 



Family CHARADRHDAE 



CHARADRIUS WILSONIA WILSONLA Ord: Wilson's Plover 



On Smith Island, where these birds were common, two males were 

 taken on May 13. 



While this species has been recognized as a distinct genus cur- 

 rently, I agree with Peters ^ that it is best considered as a member 

 of Charadrius. The main character on which it has been separated 

 is the larger, heavier bill, which is not sufficient for generic distinc- 

 tion, particularly since other related species show approach in this 

 regard. 



Family SCOLOPACIDAE 



PHAEOPUS HUDSONICUS (Latham): Hudsonian Curlew 



On May 10 Perrygo recorded seven near Southport and collected 

 a male. 



Peters^ has listed the Hudsonian curlew as a geographic race of 

 Pha£opus phaeopus of the Old World, but on examination I feel 

 that it is better to consider it a distinct species. There is no ques- 

 tion that it is representative of the Palearctic whimbrels, but it 

 stands sufficiently apart from P. p. phaeopus and P. p. variegatus in 

 definitely darker coloration with no white on the rump and in the 

 heavier marks on the sides and flanks. While the birds from the 



• Proc. U. S. Nat. Mub., vol. 84, 1937, pp. 352-354. 



' Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 2, lf)34, p. 254. 



• Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 2, 1934, p. 261. For recognition of Phaeopus as a 

 genus Bce Wetmore, BuU. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. 63, 1919, pp. 178-179. 



