[53] 



iS Summer Duck, a Yellow-shank Snipe and two King Rail. 

 These birds are sold in the markets of Richmond and Petersburg 

 literally by wagon loads during the season. They are often killed 

 at night by means of a light and paddle. An albino and a mel- 

 anotic specimen have been taken and partial albinoes as well as 

 mottled and pied ones, by Lieutenant Robinson and Mr, R. 

 Robinson. The Sora is said to be found also in West Virginia. 



76. Porzana noveboracensis. Yellow Rail. — Rare mi- 

 grant. Ml". R. Robinson has examined many specimens all killed 

 in late autumn in Sora marshes. Lieutenant Robinson has the 

 skin of one killed on the James River. " In the collection of 

 the National Museum are two Yellow Rails both of which were 

 taken in the marshes of the Potomac River near Washington : 

 the first by T, E. Clark, October 4, 1879, the second by A. 

 Skinner, March 28th, 1S84 (The Auk, Vol. V, p. 147). 



77. Porzana jamaicensis. Little Black Rail. — Very 

 rare migrant. Mr. R. Robinson has examined portions of the 

 mutilated frtsh skins of this Rail and is convinced from the de- 

 scriptions of good observers that it is not very infrequently found ; 

 he believes that he has himself had glimpses of it on two oc- 

 casions. This species has been met with near Washington 

 (The Auk, Vol. I, p. 397). 



[Mr. R. Robinson writes with reference to the European Land 

 Rail ( Crex crex) " Portions of a mutilated skin I examined I 

 could refer to no other species, but it was so imperfect I am not 

 entirely certain."] 



78. lonornis martinica. Purple Gallinule. — Mr. R. 

 Robinson has seen several fine specimens taken at irregular inter- 

 vals during a considerable number of years. Lieutenant Robin- 

 son has also seen both species of Gallinules. 



79. Gallinula galeata. Florida Gallinule. — Not un- 

 common in the Tidewater region especially in autumn. Mr. 

 Robinson considers it about as numerous as Rallus virglnianus. 

 It occurs at Cobb's Island. Besides the name of King Sora often 

 applied to it, Mr. Trumbull says that it is called at Washington, 

 King Ortolan and Marsh Pullet. Mr, Doan says that a bird of this 

 species was killed by a resident of Weston, Lewis County, West 

 Virginia, July 30, 1888. 



