NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 35 



Porzana Carolina. 



During the migration only, in April, May, and part of August 

 to October; then common. 



P. noveboracensis. 



One individual observed April 12th, under circumstances that 

 left no doubt of the identification. 



The numbers of wild-fowl that throng the sinuosities of the 

 coast in winter are simpl}'' incalculable. Immense flocks cover the 

 waters of the harbor; and 3'et these are said to be inconsiderable 

 compared with those upon the land-bound reaches of water a 

 little removed from the coast. Aside from the natural conditions 

 determining this influx of the Anatidas, such as congenial latitude, 

 convenient feeding-grounds, and an abundant supply of food, we 

 may attribute a part of the number of water-fowl to the incessant 

 and systematic persecution the}-- suffer somewhat further worth. 

 Here they are comparatively free from anno3'ance, their destruc- 

 tion not being attempted methodicallj^, nor usually with any con- 

 siderable degree of skill. A few of the species appear in the early 

 fall, but the great flight does not fairly set in until the cold 

 weather of November. The numbers are full the following month, 

 and continue undiminished through the winter. The decrease is 



disappear soon, by fusion of the two brauches on the upper half of the neck 

 behind. The pt. humeralis is completely isolated by apterise from sur- 

 rounding tracts ; it is short but wide and strong, and lies parallel with 

 the spinal. The pt. femoralis is doubled ; an inner and outer row of 

 feathers are entirely separate, and both of them are strong. The under or 

 upper band arises over the extremity of the pelvis, and runs with slight 

 obliquity to the front of the knee ; the outer arises from the side of the 

 coccyx, and runs parallel with the other along the lower edge of the outer 

 aspect of the thigh to the crus ; it is there almost continuous with the 

 ventral tract, and is but slightly separated at its origin from the caudalis ; 

 but is as widely separated from the other femoral tract as this last is from 

 the spinal. The pt, cruris is as yet only indicated by a few sparsely 

 distributed follicles, with the feathers beginning to protrude along the 

 anterior and posterior borders ; the pt. alaris is in the same condition, and 

 the caudalis but little more advanced. The ventral pteryla is double through- 

 out ; its branches are separated from each other on the neck, by as much 

 space as they are from the spinal tract ; and rather abruptly divaricate on 

 the breast, inclosing a broad oval space, finally approaching gradually as 

 they pass backward. The anal circlet of feathers is just perceptible, but 

 that around the oil-gland is not visible. 

 1871.] 



