key to the water birds of feorida. 

 Subgenus COTURNICOPS Bonap. 



135 



PORZANA NOVEBORACENSIS {GvieL). 

 Yellow Rail. 



Above, streaked with blackish and yellowish brown ; feathers 

 barred and mottled with white ; under parts yellowish brown, palest 

 on the belly ; feathers of the breast tipped with dark brown ; under 

 surface of wings white; a pale yellowish brown superciliary stripe. 



Length, 6: Wing, 3 to 3.50; Tarsus, .90 to i.oo. 



This species ranges from Hudson's Bay to Cuba. 

 It is not uncommon in Florida. I have seen several 

 specimens which have been killed by people while 

 snipe shooting. I have shot two specimens on the 

 marshes bordering the St. John's River. The eggs 



are described as pale, creamy buff in color, speckled and sprinkled with 



rusty brown. 



■»> -^x 



Subgenus CRECISCUS Cabanis. 



PORZANA JAMAICENSIS {Gmei:). 

 Black Rail. 



Top of the head dusky; nape and upper back brownish 

 chestnut ; rest of back and upper tail feathers dusky or smoky 

 brown finely barred with white ; throat gray or ash gray ; belly 

 gray ; flanks and lower belly and under tail coverts banded with 

 white ; bill black. 



Length, 5 ; Wing, 2.50 to 3.20; Tarsus, .85 to .90. 



This species occurs in temperate North America 

 from Massachusetts to the West Indies and South 

 x\merica. It is ver}- retiring in its habits and 

 therefore seldom seen. The eggs are usually 

 ten, being dull white speckled with reddish brown. I have never met 

 with it in Florida, but Mr. W. E. D. Scott records it in his list of the birds 

 of the Caloosahatchie region. (Aitk, p. 2og, i8()2.) 



