612 ORNITHOLOGY. 



ill (Jarwon \'alle}' had a tame bird of tliis species which luid been caught in 

 an adjoining- meadow when vci-y young-. Our introduction 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, liaving 

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

 bird, proceeded, without further ceremony, to beat it upon the ground until 

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

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

 tui-ned away and with stately steps walked off across the yard. This bird 

 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 him he would show his 

 pleasure by amusing gesticulations 



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

 Rallus virginianus. 



Yirgini!! Kail. 



liallus mrginianm, Linn., S.yst. Nat., I, 1700, 203. — Cassin, in Bairtl's Birds N. 

 Am., 1858, 748.— Baird, Oat. N. Atn. Birds, 1859, No. 554.— Coues, Key, 

 1873,273; Check List, 187.3, No. 407; Birds N.W., 1874, 530.— Uenshaw, 

 1875, 408. 



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

 sedges bordering a pond near Pyramiil Lake. 



POEZANA CAROLINA. 

 Soi-a Kail. 



liallus caroUnus, Linn., Syst. Nat., I, 1700,' 203. 



Porsana Carolina, Cassin, la Baird's Birds N. Am., 1858, 749. — Baiud, Cat. 



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



408; Birds N.W., 1874, .538.-HENSHAW, 1875, 408. 



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. 



