Pai. 
CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. Iq! 
of this species on June gth, 1894. Thenests were near the water 
and constructed of dead Carex leaves. The eggs ranged in 
number from nine to sixteen and were but slightly incubated. 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
Three ; two taken in Toronto marsh, by Mr.S. Herring ; and 
the other at Ottawa by Mr. W. P. Lett, in 1887. A fine series 
of eggs taken at Crane Lake, Assa., and Edmonton, Alberta. 
215. Yellow Rail. 
Porzana noveboracensts (GMEL.) BAIRD. 1845. 
Rare in autumn in Nova Scotia. (Dowmns.) A rare autumn 
visitor in New Brunswick. (Chamberlain.) Rare migrant in 
Quebec. (Dionne.) A rare migrant in Ontario ; occasionally 
taken in Toronto marsh. (Mc//wraith.) Of late years this bird 
has been taken at Toronto, Ont., every year and must occur 
more commonly than is supposed. (/. //. Fleming.) 
This species seems to be a far from rare summer resident in 
Manitoba. Ernest Seton-Thompson in his Birds of Manitoba, 
gives many instances of its occurence and the writer’s own obser- 
vations agree with his expressed opinions. A small Rail that 
seemed to jump out of the sedge, with legs hanging down, and 
just as suddenly drop again has been observed as far west as 
Moose Jaw, but in no case was a specimen obtained. 
The following is Hutchin’s manuscript notice of the bird 
written in 1777. ‘‘This elegant bird is an inhabitant of the 
marshes on the coast of Hudson Bay near the eflux of the Severn 
River, about 150 miles south of York Factory, from the middle 
of May to the end of September. It never flies above sixty 
yards ata time, but runs with great rapidity among the long grass 
near the shores. In the morning and evening it utters a note 
which resembles the striking of a flint and steel ; at other times 
it makes a shrieking noise. It builds no nest but lays from ten 
to sixteen perfectly white eggs among the grass.” 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
Two specimens, both taken in Toronto marsh by Mr. S. Her- 
ting. ; 
