[52] 



of Nelson County, has taken it in every month from April until 

 after heavy frosts. A nest was found June 15th, 1887, in a 

 marsh opposite the Long Bridge at Washington, by Mr. Melville 

 Thompson containing eleven eggs partly incubated. (The Auk, 

 Vol. V, p. 20). Lieutenant Wirt Robinson mentioiis, as does 

 Mr. Trumbull, that the name King Sora is also applied to the 

 Florida Gallinule, a practice which is liable to cause mucli con- 

 fusion with regard to the two birds. 



73. Rallus crepitans. Clapper Rail ; Mud Hen. — 

 Common summer resident of the salt water marshes of eastern 

 Virginia arriving as early as March. A few may perhaps be 

 found in winter. A specimen was shot in the marsh above the 

 Long Bridge at Washington by Mr. Frank Ford, September 8th, 

 1882. Breeds in abundance, tlie eggs being often taken for food. 

 At Cobb's Island these birds are not infrequently driven from 

 their hiding places by unusually high tides and on such occasions 

 are easily captured. Mr. Trumbull gives the names of Meadow 

 Hen and Marsh Hen as applied to this species at that place. 

 It is very olten known as Sage Hen (a corruption of Sedge Hen.) 

 A partial albino has been taken at Cobb's Island. 



74. Rallus virginianus. Virginia Rail. — Not uncommon 

 migrant in eastern Virginia, wlieie it is found in the localities fre- 

 quented by the common Sora, in the proportion as estimated by 

 Lieutenant Wirt Robinson of about one or two to every hundred 

 of the latter bird. It has been taken in June and July bv Mr. R. 

 Robinson and has also been seen near Washington in the breed- 

 ing season. It is said to be found in West Virginia and some- 

 times to breed along the Ohio River. 



75. Porzana Carolina. Common Rail : Sora. — Abundant 

 migrant in the marshes bordering the Tidewater rivers of eastern 

 Virginia, especially in the latter part of August, September and 

 October; much less numerous in spring ; also occurs as a strag- 

 gler away from the larger rivers. It has been observed in June 

 and July by Mr. R. Robinson, and Wilson refers to their being 

 reported to breed in Viiginia. It probal)ly breeds near Washing- 

 ton. (The Auk, Vol. V, p. 20). On September 15th and i6th. 

 1881, I am informed, Messrs. J. R. Branch and John Snelling of 

 Richmond killed in one of the marshes of the James 1,235 ^^''^i 



