G12 OKNITnOLOGY. 



in Carson Valley had a tame bird of this species which had been caiig-ht in 

 an adjoining meadow when very young. Our inti-oductiou to this remark- 

 able pet was somewhat amusing, the circumstances being as follows: Just 

 before coming to the house we had shot a Snow-bird (Junco oregonus), and 

 hastily thrust it into our coat pocket, before opening the gate of the front 

 yard to walk in. We had scarcely entered, when his craneship, having 

 seen (he movement, walked familiarly up, and deliberately snatching the 

 bird, proceeded, without further ceremony, to beat it upon the gi-ound until 

 nearly denuded of its feathers, when he swallowed it whole; he then care- 

 fully examined our person for more birds. Not finding any, however, he 

 turned away and with stately steps walked off across the yard. This l)ird 

 was a great friend of the children belonging to the family, and would 

 frequently join them in their sports. Often, while they were indoors, he 

 would walk upon the porch, and going to the window would look inside, 

 and if the young folks took the least notice of liini he would show his 

 pleasure by amusing gesticulations 



Family RALLID.E— Kails, Gallinules, and Coots. 

 Rallus virginianus. 



Vii'$;Biii:i Kail. 



liaUm virginianus, LiNN., Sy.st. Nat., 1, ITOd, L'O.l— Cassin, in IJaird's Birds N. 

 Am., 18.^8, 7t8.— Baiud, Oat. N. Am. Birds, 1859, No. 554.— COUES, Key, 

 1872,273; Cliecli List, 1873, No. 4C7 ; Birds N.W., 1874, 53C.— Uknsuaw, 

 1875, 4G8. 



Two or three specimens of this Rail were seen in May, among the 



sedges bordering a pond near Pyramid Lake. 



PORZANA CAROLINA. 

 Soi'ii Rail. 



liallus carolinus, Linn., Syst. Nat., 1, 170G, 203.. 



Porzana Carolina, Cassin, in Baird's Birds N. Am., 1858, 749.— BAikd, Cat. 



N. Am. Birds, 1859, No. 555.— CouES, Koy, 1872, 273; Check List, 1873, No. 



468; Binls N.W., 1874, 538.— Uenshaw, 1875, 108. 



The Common Rail was constantly met with in all suitable localities in 

 the Interior; it was not identified at Sacramento, where, however, it no 

 doubt occurs also. 



