118 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



of the Sandhill Crane in Ontario that I know of, but as they are 

 known to breed in Michigan, we cannot Ije surprised at their some- 

 times being found on the east side of the Detroit River. The species 

 is most abundant in the Mississippi Valley, west to the Pacific coast. 

 It is irregularly distributed, haA-ing been found breeding in suitable 

 places outside of its ordinar}' range. It was seen by Dr. Bell near 

 Norway House, on Hudson's Bay. In the North- West it is reported 

 as tolerably common, and is often taken young and domesticated, 

 making an interesting pet. Mr. Thompson says of it : " As a game 

 bird, I am inclined to place the present species as first on the game 

 list in Manitoba." An average specimen weighs about ten pounds, 

 and the quality of the flesh is unsurpassed by any of our ordinarj^ 

 birds, unless it Ije the partridge. I should strongly advocate the 

 protection of this liird l)y the game law were it not that it is so 

 thoroughlv able to take care of itself that legislation in its favor 

 seems altogether unnecessarv." 



Suborder RALLI. Rails, Gallinules, Coots, etc. 



Fa.milv RALLID^. Rails, Gallinules, Coots, etc. 



Subfamily RALLIN^. Rails. 



Genus RALLUS Linn^us. 

 RALLUS ELEGANS (Aud.). 



80. King Rail. (I'OS) 



Al)ove, ))i<)Wiii.sli-l)liu,-k, vai-iegatod with (ilive-l)r()\\ii, becoming rich chestnut 

 on the wing coverts ; under parts, rich rufous or cinnamon-brown, usually»paler 

 on the middle of tlie belly and whitening on the throat ; flanks and axillars, 

 blackish, white-barred. Length, about 16; wing, 5-6; tail, 2-2A ; bill, 2i ; 

 tarsus, 2; mid<lle toe and claw, 2J. Ftmale : — Smaller. 



Hab. — Fresh-water niarshes of the eastern portifni of tiie United .States, 

 from the Middle States, northern Illinois, Wisconsin anil Kansas southward. 

 Casually north to Massachusetts, Maine ami Ontario. 



Nest, a rude mass of reeils and grass, on marshy ground close to tlie water. 



Eggs, six to twelve, buff or cream color, speckled and blotched with I'cddish- 

 brown. 



This large and handsome Rail, which, until recently, was considered 

 to be only a casual visitoi' to Ontarin, is now kiii>\sn to breed plenti- 

 fuUv in the marshes all along the River St. Chiir. It has also been 



