340 AMEKICAlSr GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 



partial to dense cover, aud frequents both salt and fresh- 

 Avater marshes, but it is only found in the former places 

 early in the summer and autumn. 



The sora, ortolan, or Carolina rail {Porzana Carolina), 

 is the best known of the Rallidm, and the one most gen- 

 erally shot, those previously mentioned being pursued 

 but very little, owing to the comparative coarseness of 

 their flesh, and their want of game qualities. This spe- 

 cies is olive-brown above, variegated with black and nu- 

 merous white spots and streaks; the flanks are varied 

 with black and white; the face and central line of the 

 throat are black; and the remainder of the throat, the 

 breast, and the line over the eyes are bluish-gray. The 

 yellow-ljreasted rail (P. novehoracensis) is such an exceed- 

 ingly secluded bird that it is rarely shot. The breast is 

 yellowish; the flanks are dark and barred with white; 

 the upper portions are varied Avith black and yellowish- 

 brown, and marked with white semi-circles and transverse 

 bars. The Florida gallmule {Gallmula galeata) is an in- 

 habitant of the Gulf States, where it is exceedingly abun- 

 dant. It can be seen in solid phalanxes along the Indian 

 Eiver in Florida, and in the southern portion of the 

 State. Its back is brownish-olive; its head, neck, and 

 under parts are grayish -black; the wings and tail are 

 dusky, but the edges of the wings are white; and the bill 

 is red, tipped with yellow. An adult is about fifteen 

 inches in length. The purple gallmule {Porphyrio mar- 

 tinica), which is most abundant in the Southwestern 

 States, is a handsome bird, its head, neck, and under 

 parts being purplish-blue, and the upper olive-green; the 

 bill IS red with a yellow tip; and the legs are yellowish. 

 The head, neck, and the lower part of the back of the 

 young are brownish, and the under parts whitish. The 

 coot, or sea-crow [Fulica americana), has widely lobed 

 feet like the phalaropes, so that it is more at home on the 

 water than on the land. It frequents fresh waters, and 



