51 



Eggs 6-12, buffy, spotted and speckled with rufous bi'own. 

 Note, a peculiar cry, which has been written "cut, cut, cutta- 

 cutta-ciltta." 



26. Porzana Carolina (Linn.). 

 CAROLINA RAIL. SORA. 



Black, white and olive-brown; face and center of throat, black in adults; 

 rest of throat and breast, slate-gray in adults; whole of throat and breast, 

 brown in young. Length, 8-9 inches. 



Irregular summer resident in suitable marshes. Nest of 

 grasses or sedges on a hummock or on the ground. Eggs 

 8-15, ochraceous-buff spotted and speckled with brown. Note 

 "a clear, whistled ker-wee" (Chapman). 



27. Porzana noveboracensls (Qmel.). 

 YELLOW RAIL. 



Above, streaked with blackish, brownish-yellow and white; beneath, 

 pale bi'ownish-yellow. Length, 7 inches. 



Very rare visitor. One instance near Northampton, many 

 years ago {Jide Stearns) . 



28. Fulica americana Gmel. 



COOT. MUD-HEN. 



Dark slate; under tail coverts, white. Length, 14-16 inches. 



Irregular and rather rare visitor ; was formerly supposed to 

 breed. 



29. Philohela minor (Gmel.). 



WOODCOCK. 



Above, varied with black, brown, gray and russet; beneath, rich warm 

 brown. Length, 10-12 inches. 



Summer resident, formerly common ; arrives in March and 

 departs in November. Raises 1 brood. Eggs 4, brownish- 

 clay-colored, thickly spotted with brown and stone-gray. Nest 

 of grass, etc. on the ground. Eggs laid last of May. Feeds 



