34 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP 



shed their dorsal plumes during the period of incubation ; the 

 young, for some time after quitting the nest, show traces of down 

 here and there, particularly about the head. 



Botaurus lentiginosus. 



I think that the Bittern will prove a resident species here, 

 though I have only observed it from September to May. It is 

 quite common in the fall ; thus, I have shot two or three, and 

 seen as many more in an afternoon's walk in October. Singular 

 as it may seem, viewing the abundance of the bird, and its wide 

 distribution over North America, a complete history has not yet 

 appeared. The earlier accounts are defective, and not entirely 

 accurate. Perhaps the best notice we have is Mr. Endicott's, in 

 the American Naturalist, iii, p. 169. 



Rallus crepitans. (= R. longirostris, Bodd.) 



This is probably the most abundant, and it is certainly one of 

 the most characteristic birds of the locality. It should properly 

 be classed among the resident species, although its numbers are 

 greatly diminished during December to Februar}', and it may 

 entirely disappear in very cold weather. Its ranks are largel}'" 

 recruited in March, and little or no decrease is perceptible until 

 November. It becomes very noisy in April, and the marshes 

 resound with its harsh cries until the next autumn. The laying 

 season is at its height during the latter part of April, and through 

 a portion of May ; but eggs may be procured nearly all summer. 

 A full account of its nidification, with other particulars, will be 

 found in the American Naturalist^ iii, p. 600. I have nothing to 

 add to what is there given, but I would now increase the number 

 stated as an average nest-complement of eggs, to nine or ten. 

 The largest number found in a nest was twelve, although there is 

 no certainty, in such a case as this, that all were deposited by the 

 same bird.^ 



' Embryos about one-half developed, taken May 14, afforded the follow- 

 ing tracts of the downy plumage. Pteryla capitis continuous, though weak, 

 and running uninterrupted into prolongation of both spinal and ventral. 

 The strong pt. spinalis commences as a single band on the median line over 

 the coccyx, divides after passing the pelvis into two slightly divaricating 

 bands, that approach but do not join on the cervix, and run uninterrupted 

 to the nape — inclosing a narrowly lanceolate space on the back, and a 

 linear one on the hind neck ; but this is very narrow, and would probably 



[May 2, 



